Alas comes through for NLEX despite hurting ankle
NLEX’s Kevin Alas (6) flips up a shot against Meralco on Tuesday. PBA IMAGES
Slowly but surely, Kevin Alas is getting accustomed to his role as one of the key point guards for NLEX.
The sophomore played his best game yet for the Road Warriors on Tuesday as he finished with 16 points and two rebounds apart from his crucial contributions on the defensive end in a 93-91 thriller over Meralco.
But despite his performance, Alas shared that he’s still bothered a bit by the ankle injury which has hounded him in the offseason.
“Medyo nahirapan pa rin ako ngayon eh. Yung injury ko, okay na pero nararamdaman pa rin. Ang positive thing is nag-jell na ako sa teammates ko,” he said.
With familiar faces around him, Alas is coming into his own with NLEX, and he hopes to help bring NLEX’s winning culture in the D-League to the PBA.
“Sa D-League, we know we’re one of the best teams. Dito hindi eh. We get our wins through hard work. Every game talaga dapat pagtrabahuan defensively kasi yun ang asset ng team, yung defense,” said Alas, who won championships and an MVP with the Road Warriors in the D-League.
Now in solo fourth with a 4-2 card, NLEX hopes to sustain its winning run especially with a tough schedule ahead starting on Friday against Alaska.
“Yung next five games namin, tough kasi we’re going up against contenders,” said Alas, whose father and former college coach Louie is part of the Aces’ coaching staff. “We really have to take it one at a time. Alaska muna ang focus namin, na mai-match yung intensity nila.”
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