Entering the critical stretch in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup elimination round, the NLEX Road Warriors needed everything they could get from their key players, and Kevin Alas was one of those who provided a big lift from the three-point area in a 110-105 win over Globalport Friday night.
Alas regained his rhythm from the outside, going a perfect 5-for-5 from three-point range to finish with 18 points. Alas was one of six Road Warriors in double-digits, helping the team improve to 5-4 in the conference and tie TNT, Rain or Shine, and Barangay Ginebra from fourth to seventh spots.
Entering the game, Alas was only 4-for-20 overall from three-point region. Sensing the need to provide additional damage, as the Road Warriors try to make it to the next round, Alas said he focused on doing extra shooting in practice.
“Extra shooting lang, kasi sabi ko medyo sumasama laro ko lately so dinagdagan ko lang shooting ko. Siguro nag-pay off din,” Alas said.
The backcourt gunner’s 18 points was his best output since finishing with 21 points in NLEX’s conference opener. He added establishing consistency will be a big boost for NLEX’s push for the play-offs.
“We can’t be satisfied with one game, we need to be consistent kasi lahat naman ng teams nagpe-prepare din yan. Next game namin, San Miguel, malakas pa. Siguro yun lang consistency sa team, malaking bagay yun,” he said.
NLEX shot 17-for-37 from three-point area Friday night, and such shooting can be a big weapon for the team.
“It’s a big thing, knowing Asi (Taulava) and Al (Thornton), sa ilalim sila nagtatrabaho, at least lumuluwag yung depensa kapag nakaka-shoot kami sa labas. So kapag naglo-load ang depensa sa amin (shooters), nabibigay namin sa loob. Magandang bagay yun, may inside-outside threat ka,” Alas shared.
Thornton scored a game-high 33 points, including 11-for-15 from the free-throw line as he was able to drive several times with the help of NLEX’s fine spacing. Taulava added 13 points and nine rebounds.
Alas also said tsince the condition of Thornton’s knee is improving, and it is translating to him playing better, which rubs off the entire team.
“Tinututukan siya ng medical team namin, talagang before and after practice, tine-therapy siya, so yun nga, ang ganda ng pinapakita niya. Sana maging consistent siya kung makapasok kami ng play-offs. Hawa-hawa na yun eh, kapag maganda laro ng isa, kumbaga, naghihilahan kayo pataas eh,” Alas closed.
