With 1:14 left in the third frame of NLEX’s tilt against Rain or Shine Wednesday night, Kevin Alas was lucky not to get an earful from the Road Warriors’ fiery head coach Yeng Guiao after crashing into him during a loose ball battle. This was because, with 6.3 second remaining in the game’s first overtime, Guiao made sure to let the 25-year-old know that he had committed a “stupid foul”.
During that time, Alas figured in a jump ball face-off against Chris Tiu. However, the former Letranite jumped into Tiu, elbowing him mid-air, resulting in a foul. Tiu converted the two charities that gave Rain or Shine a 110-108 lead.
“I called him out for committing that stupid foul on the jump ball, but he made up for it on the next play,” said Guiao.
“Coach Yeng called me out dun sa offensive foul, sabi ko parang napagalitan niya ako. Ang mindset ko is bumawi agad,” recalled Alas.
The 6-foot shooting guard more than made up for it in the next play, driving through the lane and knocking down a lay-up to force another extra time. Then in the next overtime, Alas knocked down a beautiful floater with 2:52 left that gave NLEX the lead for good.
“Ayun I had to make a good pass, binalik sa akin yung bola, I saw the opportunity para maka-shoot. Thankfully naman nakabawi agad,” a relieved Alas admitted, after NLEX survived Rain or Shine, 122-114.
During NLEX’s three-game rampage to start the conference, the fourth overall pick in the 2014 Draft has been consistent, averaging 19.0 points on 57.5 percent shooting and 7.67 rebounds in 30 minutes of action. But besides picking up the wins, what Alas cherishes are the words of wisdom imparted to him by the team’s recent pick-ups Larry Fonacier and JR Quinahan.
“Siguro malaking bagay din sakin yung trades na nangyari. Dumating si Larry, si JR, especially kay Larry naging vocal siya sa akin pagdating sa practice,” the three-year pro shared.
“Sinasabi niya, ‘Hindi puwedeng tulad sa Talk ‘N Text na kami yung magdadala sa ‘yo, dapat ikaw na yung magdadala sa amin’.”
And after being with Alas for eight months, Guiao is seeing progress in Alas. And he just hopes that he won’t jinx it.
“Kevin Alas has been playing consistently. He’s a young player with maturity and consistent so far,” the 58-year-old mentor remarked.
“I just hope I don’t jinx it.”
