Beyond Louie Alas' strict demeanor is a doting father who does his share of the household chores to make things easier for his family — from cleaning the house to washing the clothes and manning the kitchen.
The multi-titled coach is actually the Alases' resident chef.
He lists kaldereta, pork steak, binagoongan, sinigang, tinola and bulalo as his most requested dishes.
"Alam mo, ang mga players, mahilig sa may mga soup," Louie told One Sports Profiles.
"Actually, ito ang mahilig mag-request, si Kieffer," he added.
[READ PART 1: Next in Line: Kieffer Alas guided by military-like dad Louie in pursuit of US hoops dream]
Aside from the wealth of basketball lessons he gets from his dad, this — Louie's tending to the family's needs at home — is what Kieffer appreciates.
"[I appreciate him] cooking and taking care of us. Kami naman... we're already focused on basketball. We don't really have the time to cook or do anything else. So that's what he does for us," said Kieffer, who cited nilaga and sinigang as his favorite dishes of his dad.
"It's a big help. Because the only thing we have to worry about is our game, nothing else. So it's really a big help."
[RELATED STORY: UAAP: Kieffer Alas of DLSZ vows to use boys basketball MVP plum as 'fuel for future']
At home, Louie is just a father who reminds his children to fix their beds first thing in the morning, reprimands them if they fail to do so, but still does it for them in the end. As Kieffer settles in the US, this is actually one of Louie's concerns.
"Sinasabi ko nga kay Kieffer, ‘Kieff, baka kapag hindi ka namin kasama, baka makikita ng mga teammates mo or dormmates mo na medyo magulo ka sa gamit. Pag-aralan mo dito sa bahay 'yan. You have to get used to it.’ Sabi niya, ‘Dad, the reason why hindi ko ginagawa 'yan ay kasi nandiyan ka, eh.’ So ako pa ang may kasalanan," Louie said, chuckling.
"Pero alam ko namang independent na bata 'yan. He can do those things."
[ALSO READ: Mom, My No. 1: Kevin Alas sees mother as balancer in relationship with dad, coach Louie]
Louie admitted that he will miss having his youngest child, his bunso, around, especially with the tight bond that they have as a family.
"Ang alam ko lang, mamimiss ko siya. Kasi minsan, katabi pa naming matulog 'yan, eh. Kasi medyo close knit family kami. Gusto nga namin minsan, magkakasama pa sa isang kuwarto matulog. Unang-una, matipid sa aircon," said Louie before letting out a laugh.
"Pangalawa, nakapagkukuwentuhan kayo. You can watch kung anong gusto ninyong panoorin. Mga bagay na 'yon, I really miss it. Hindi na namin nagagawa ngayon. Very seldom," added Louie, whose sons Kristoffer and Kevin have already built families of their own.
[ALSO READ: Mom, My No. 1: Kevin Alas sees mother as balancer in relationship with dad, coach Louie]
Kieffer strives to fulfill US basketball dream for dad Louie
After One Sports' exclusive sit-down interview with Louie and Kieffer, they engaged in a popular social media challenge where the dad must lay down his different rules for his son.
Louie said no to softdrinks, alcoholic drinks, tattoos and piercings (though Kieffer got his mom to agree to him getting an ear piercing as a reward for his MVP recognition.).
But when it comes to his son Kieffer's basketball career, Louie says, "Sky's the limit."
"Kung anong gusto niyang alam kong mag-i-improve siya, go for it," the elder Alas added.
The Alas family is going all-out in supporting Kieffer in his basketball dream.
In fact, Kieffer's mom, Liza, a hotel division manager, retired a year earlier than planned just to be able to accompany her 18-year-old son in Utah.
Louie joined them on their trip to the US last August, where he stayed for 20 days to help them settle.
He got his wife an apartment, an eight-minute drive from Kieffer's school, Layton Christian Academy. The UAAP Season 87 juniors Most Valuable Player, who lives in his school's dormitory, stays with his mom every Saturday.
"Gusto niya (his wife, Liza), malapit lang siya kay Kieff," said Louie.
Kieffer truly values the support he gets from his parents, especially in dealing with the pressure of carrying not just his own dream, but that of the whole nation as he aims to make it to the US NCAA Division 1 and, hopefully, the NBA.
"It's actually a big help because you know how Filipinos are naman. They usually bring you down if you're not going to where they expect you to be. So, at least, I have this kind of support group when everyone's looking down on me. So that kind of relieves the pressure," said the Gilas Pilipinas Youth ace.
[ALSO READ: Kieffer Alas aims to one-up big brother Kevin in fundamental Gilas Pilipinas stat]
His father also does not lack in giving him nuggets of wisdom as he takes on this difficult path. Kieffer cited staying humble as the best he received.
"[Dad said,] 'Stay grounded.' You see the great NBA players, kahit magaling na, they are still down to earth. I mean, most of them. So I guess that's really the main thing," said Kieffer.
Along with this advice comes a dad's prayer for his child.
"Ang pinagpi-pray ko lang madalas, give me longer pa dito sa mundo para at least kung paano Niya kami alagaan, maalagaan ko pa rin nang mahaba itong pamilya ko. 'Yong talagang secured na secured na sila. 'Yon ang primary prayer ko," said Louie.
"And to guide Kieffer to compete. Magawa niya ang lahat nang dapat niyang magawa and to guide his emotions everytime kasi [he's] very passionate. And, I know, napaka-smart namang bata 'yan inside and outside the court. I really believe na tutulungan siya ng Almighty God," he added.
As for Kieffer, he will march on toward his dream, hoping to have his dad witness its fulfillment.
"Dad, thank you for continuing to guide me, my family and everyone. I hope you get to see me make it to where I want to be," said Kieffer.
(To be continued)
Interview by Jan Ballesteros; Photos by RM Chua, assisted by Xander Cipriano and Jan Ballesteros; Produced by Kristina Villanueva
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Kristina Villanueva is a sports journalist who is passionate about telling the stories of athletes on and off the court.
She believes that the greatness of these sportsmen begins not in the presence of loud cheers of spectators nor under the bright lights of the grandest stage, but in the quietness of their hard work behind the scenes and their dedication to get better in the pursuit of their dreams.