Kevin Alas not hitting 40-point games is no guarantee he’ll go quietly into the night. Like an active volcano, he is ready to explode anytime.
He chose the perfect time to erupt, firing 10 of his 12 points in the fourth quarter of Game 2 to lift the Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters to a win and help them tie the semi-finals series against Purefoods at one apiece.
With Jayson Castro plagued by foul trouble in the pivotal fourth period, Alas stepped up in a huge way, and nailed key baskets to turn the tide around.
The Tropang Texters were still down 67-70 when Alas converted on a wide-open triple on the left wing assisted by Larry Fonacier to tie the score.
Later, he pulled up from top of the key against the Star Hotshots defense and rattled home another trey, giving the Tropang Texters the 73-70 margin.
And after Ivan Johnson split his charities, Alas then attacked the basket and finished with a right-handed lay-up to push the lead ahead to 76-70.
Alas scored eight points in a span of less than two minutes before Castro would eventually return and take over for the Tropang Texters.
“Sabi (ni coach Jong Uichico) sa akin confidence lang. Pag libre, tira. Wag daw mag hesitate and be aggressive. Mindset ko lang is always be ready. Then I just take what the defense gives me,” Alas shared.
Hitting big shots and playing in big moments are nothing new for the former Letran Knight and PBA D-League Most Valuable Player. After all, these qualities boosted his draft stock — the ability to take charge and lead a squad.
“Medyo sanay na rin ako kasi since college and Gilas naglalaro ako hanggang dulo so kailangan ko lang maging ready palagi,” Alas said.
He was also challenged by the physicality including a few pushing and shoving with Mick Pennisi, and it served as extra motivation.
“Part of the game naman yung pisikalan. Siguro naging motivation na rin yun dahil gusto ko ma-shoot para matingnan siya,” he shared.
In the end, Alas finished with 12 points, four rebounds, and a steal in over 18 minutes of action while shooting five-for-10 from the field.
Alas is in his second semi-finals appearance in as many conferences but he has constantly shown that in whatever level of basketball, hitting big shots is nothing new.
