Kevin Alas is taking it step by step now that he’s back playing after over a year following a successful recovery from another ACL injury.
The star guard has his sights set on rebuilding his form as he finally returned to action during NLEX’s eventual win over Terrafirma on Tuesday.
“Little by little,” he told reporters moments after their 104-85 victory at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
“I’m just very, very grateful na nakabalik na ako. Kasi, more than a year since my last game so I am very, very grateful lang talaga.”
Alas was subbed in late in the opening frame, marking his first game back since November 18, 2023 against coincidentally the Dyip at the Ynares Center in Antipolo — the venue where he suffered his first two ACL tears.
It only took him a short while to announce his comeback, driving from the left wing before scoring off his signature reverse layup for a 27-11 lead.
“Kaso after nun pagod na eh,” quipped Alas of that bucket, which was his only points of the game that saw him play for 10 minutes and 30 seconds.
NLEX would go on to take the victory for its second win in a row to go 2-1 and having led for most of the night made it a more relaxed break-in for Alas.
“Relaxed atmosphere lang, just waiting for the game to come. Ano lang naman, good thing nung pumasok ako, medyo may lamang pa kami,” he said.
“So at least wala masyadong pressure nung pumasok ako.”
With his first game back now in the books, the 33-year-old now looks forward to adding more reps in as he wants to regain his game shape.
“To be honest, kanina, siguro it’s more of wala rin talagang hangin,” he admitted. “I really need to get more games para makuha ko ‘yung rhythm ko.”
