By: Joaquin Cortez
Kieffer Alas and Cabs Cabonilas have long been familiar with competing for the same prize. But despite years of battling for individual honors, the two have maintained their friendship beyond the basketball court.
After a tightly-contested Most Valuable Player race in the UAAP Season 87 19U Boys’ Basketball Tournament in 2025, Alas and Cabonilas have crossed paths once again, this time as collegiate rivals.
Alas came out on top in their latest meeting on Saturday, leading Ateneo de Manila University past Far Eastern University, 75-72, in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament at the Blue Eagle Gym.
The 19-year-old Ateneo guard finished with a team-high 21 points, four rebounds, and two steals. His performance also helped the Blue Eagles snap a three-game skid and avenge their 70-93 first-round loss to the Tamaraws.
Cabonilas, meanwhile, chipped in 11 points, three rebounds, and one assist in 16 minutes and 29 seconds of action for FEU.
Having shared the court as teammates in the past, Alas said their matchups have always been about friendly competition.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“I’ve played with Cabs kahit sa Batang Gilas team, teammates kami do’n. Nothing personal; we just played competition,” Alas said.
“Me and Cabs, we’ve been friends since high school and we’ve been playing for so long.”
Their history dates back to the juniors division, where the two went head-to-head in the Season 87 MVP race.
While playing for De La Salle Zobel, Alas edged FEU-Diliman’s Cabonilas on the final day of the elimination round to claim the regular-season MVP award with 91.429 statistical points. Cabonilas finished a close second with 90.071 SPs, with both players earning spots on the Mythical Team.
Their paths diverged the following season when Alas moved to the United States to play for Utah Prep, while Cabonilas stayed with the Baby Tamaraws.
Cabonilas made the most of the opportunity, leading FEU-Diliman to its 10th championship in Season 88 while capturing both the regular-season MVP and Finals MVP awards, becoming the first player in the division to achieve the feat.
After a one-year stint in high school in the United States, Alas returned to the Philippines and committed to Ateneo earlier this year to play alongside his father, Louie Alas, who was still an assistant coach at the time.
For Cabonilas, however, the individual honors were never solely about personal achievement.
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
“Masaya kasi nakuha ko ‘yun para sa akin, para sa pamilya ko. Bale hindi naman ‘yun para sa akin, para sa teammates ko ‘yun at sa coaches din ‘yun, at sa sumusuporta sa FEU,” the forward from Davao said.
“Ginagawa ko lang ‘yung best ko.”
Now reunited in the collegiate ranks as rivals, the former MVP frontrunners are making their mark once again. After the first round, Alas ranks 10th in the Season 89 statistical race with 59.143 SPs, putting him at the forefront of the Rookie of the Year race. Cabonilas, meanwhile, sits at 24th with 48.0 SPs.
“Ang masasabi ko lang kay Kieffer, magaling talaga siya. Magaling siyang mamigay sa teammates niya at magaling siyang makisama rin,” Cabonilas said.
Alas also credited their progress to the work they have put in over the years and the guidance of their respective coaching staffs.
“I think that just stands on the work me and Cabs put in. We’re under great coaching staffs,” Alas said.
“I feel like hard work and teachers are aligned.”
Despite their individual accomplishments, Cabonilas remains focused on enjoying the game rather than chasing personal accolades.
“Nag-e-enjoy lang kami, naglalaro lang kami. ‘Di naman kami naghahabulan sa stats. Sa akin, naglalaro lang ako at wala naman akong pake sa ganyan,” Cabonilas said.
“If meron man, bonus lang.”
