Kevin Alas assured that he’s all fine after suffering a bad fall late in the 2023 PBA All-Star Game last Sunday at the City of Passi Arena in Iloilo.
The NLEX guard did admit that it hurt when he fell hard onto the floor upon stopping Jamie Malonzo from converting a 3-point dunk with 14.7 seconds left to play, but quickly added that he didn’t suffer anything serious whatsoever.
It was just his competitive nature, he said, that prompted him to do whatever it took to prevent the Ginebra winger from making that jam — his Team Scottie, at that point, was only within two points, 138-136, versus Team Japeth.
“Medyo masakit after pero OK naman ngayon,” he said. “Siguro, competitive nature lang na sabi ko foulin para may chance mag-tie sa dulo.”
Alas and Co. ultimately bowed, 140-136, but he’s nonetheless honored to have been a part of a highly competitive All-Star Game.
“Actually it’s the first time I’ve seen [a game] as competitive as that. Of course, I’m really blessed to be a part of a game as competitive as that,” he said.
“Nakita mo mga big man sa ilalim, sina Christian [Standhardinger], sina Raymond [Almazan], sina Calvin [Abueva], talagang nagpipisikalan; ‘pag may mga gusto dumunk, hindi pinapa-easy dunk,” he furthered.
“It’s really nice to witness na ganun ‘yung laro nung ano, walang bigayan. Kita mo si Coach Tim [Cone] tsaka si Coach Yeng [Guiao], drawing ng play, may defensive strategies and everything.”
Alas was actually one of the brightest stars that night, pouring 35 points that some fans online said he could’ve been ASG MVP had they won.
“Kaso talo eh,” he said with a chuckle. “Mentality ko lang coming into that game, siyempre all by God’s grace nandun tayo, and salamat sa mga bumoto.
“It’s just my way of thanking the fans, to give my 100 percent pagdating sa game. I can say it was really a hard-fought game. It’s just our way of giving back sa fans kasi ayaw naman nila makakita ng coasting-along game lang eh.”
And further proof that he’s all well was Wednesday night when NLEX took on San Miguel Beer in the Governors’ Cup resumption.
He played for a little over 20 minutes. But he only had five points and seven assists, and worse, the Road Warriors lost, 120-106, bidding goodbye to their Top Four hopes that merits a twice-to-beat edge in the quarters.
Alas could only concede that the team lost to a better side, and could only accept their fate in the next round — being in a twice-to-win disadvantage.
“We lost to a better team tonight. Practice kami tomorrow and we’ll see. Twice-to-win disadvantage, we just have to deal with it kung ano ‘yung meron kami.”
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The second game of each PBA gameday is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
