After three games, Kevin Alas’ shooting slump has ended.
After shooting just a total of 7-of-33 from the field in his first three games in the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup, Alas shot 5-of-8 en route to 13 points to help his NLEX Road Warriors conquer the Columbian Dyip, 107-97, Sunday evening.
For Alas, if there’s anything that the cold spell had taught him, it’s patience.
Alas is doing his best to regain his old form for the Road Warriors, as he is still coming off an ACL injury that sidelined him for 10 months. But the slump made him realize that some things should not be forced, but otherwise.
“Pagbalik ko akala ko kayang-kaya ko, ‘yung katawan ko and everything, pero ibang-iba pa rin talaga ‘yung game shape. Kailangan ko lang mas maging pasensyoso kasi alam kong mahabang proseso ‘to,” said the 27-year-old guard.
“Personally I’m not satisfied with my performance … pero alam ko naman na I can be better than that. Sabi nga ng mga coaches na I have to be patient.”
But personal business aside, Alas is simply glad not just with the win that ended their three-game slide in the conference, but the way his Road Warriors showed character as well against a promising team in Columbian.
NLEX lost hold of the 31-point lead it established late in the second quarter as Columbian knocked to within five in the final frame, but did well enough in the closing minutes to prevent a monumental collapse from happening.
“Maganda rin na nasubukan ‘yung character ng team na nag-run, bumaba hanggang five, then other players stepped up. Si Philip [Paniamogan], si Poy [Erram], si Marion [Magat],” said the five-year league veteran.
“I’m happy na kahit ‘yung ibang players nags-struggle, ang daming nags-step up, which is a good thing for us.”
