He has been playing some inspired basketball this season, especially this Governors' Cup.
NLEX Road Warrior Kevin Alas has had an injury-filled road in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). But that road has led him here, as the Road Warriors’ undisputed main man—and a first-time PBA All-Star.
And on Saturday night against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, Alas proved unequivocally that he is NLEX’s ace and that he deserved to be voted as an All-Star. The former Letran Knight exploded for 28 points on a hyper-efficient 11-for-15 shooting clip to help the Road Warriors repulse Rain or Shine, 110-99.
It was the latest big game from Alas, who has had a pair of 31-point explosions already this conference, which will hit pause starting March 9 to give way to the PBA All-Star Week in Passi, Iloilo. Alas, of course, will be a major part of that showcase, as he will be participating in the three-point shootout and will be one of the All-Star game’s first-timers—an accomplishment that has had Alas in a thankful mood.
“Yung fans ang bumoto nun [All-Star spot]. Very grateful ako sa kanila, sa family, friends, and everyone,” Alas said post-game. “I know there has been talk sa mga deserving na All-Star, and I really think I’m deserving naman. I’m really blessed na makasama ko sa All-Star festivities sa Iloilo.”
Again, there is no doubt Alas deserves to be an All-Star. He is now averaging 20 points per game—fifth highest among locals this conference—on 55% shooting from twos and 43% from treys. He is also averaging 2.7 rebounds and 4.6 assists, in what has arguably been his best conference yet after posting per game averages of 16.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 4.8 assists in the first two conferences, where NLEX failed to make it past the eliminations. This time around, the Road Warriors are playoff-bound band are aiming even higher thanks in large part to the All-Star play of Alas.
And the Road Warrior All-Star is knows exactly what he will do in Iloilo already: “I’m gonna savor it kasi first time ko.”
Enjoy it, young ace. You deserve it.