Leaning toward simply assisting teams and nearing retirement, a whirlwind of circumstances changed the trajectory Louie Alas was heading toward.
Instead, he found himself serving as the interim head coach of Ateneo de Manila University in the UAAP, marking his first stint as a head coach in the league. The role also gave him an opportunity to face his alma mater, Adamson University.
In the Blue Eagles’ matchup against the Soaring Falcons in the UAAP Season 89 collegiate men’s basketball tournament, Ateneo handed Alas a 73-68 victory on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Alas definitely took note of his first game against his alma mater.
“Kinda hard because that’s the first thing my wife told me, ‘Oh, against Adamson.’ Sabi ko, just one of those games kasi yung loyalty mo nag-e-end kung saan ka nagtatrabaho eh,” said Alas.
“I love Adamson, but at this point in time, more love to Ateneo. ‘Di ba?”
(C) UAAP Season 89 Media Team
Comparing the league during his playing days with the Soaring Falcons in the early 1980s to the present, Alas feels pleased with how much the UAAP has grown.
He recalled that during his era, the UAAP had yet to implement the Final Four format, with the top two teams after the elimination round advancing directly to the Finals.
“UAAP is bigger than — siguro compared doon sa era namin, during my era wala pang Final Four eh. Puro top two lang, championship na. Grabe ang pressure dito. Grabe ang lahat. Lahat,” said Alas, who had his longest stint as a head coach with Colegio de San Juan de Letran in the NCAA.
“Sabi ko nga, premier league in the country ang UAAP. So speaks for itself yung sinasabi ko.”
After four playdates in the men’s basketball tournament, the UAAP has already produced plenty of fireworks, with all eight teams having suffered at least one loss.
Ateneo, which had little to no offseason preparation, currently sits atop the standings alongside National University and University of the Philippines with identical 2-1 records. Four other schools are just behind at 1-1.
