The Ateneo Blue Eagles catch big fish in UAAP Season 87 High School MVP Kieffer Alas. He tells One Sports the reason behind the move.
Prized recruit Kieffer Alas is set for a homecoming as he commits to the Ateneo Blue Eagles for UAAP Season 89.
Alas returns to Manila after a US stint with Utah Prep where he will play under Ateneo head coach Tab Baldwin and dad Louie who serves as Baldwin’s deputy.
Baldwin's presence at the Ateneo bench was what drove Alas to commit to the Blue Eagles, despite other offers from schools both in the US and here in the Philippines.
"Coach Tab visited me multiple times here sa US, I can tell he was really interested in me. They laid out their plan for me and what I could do in the future and saw me as a big part of their program. That was the main thing for me," Alas told One Sports.
"The management and especially coach Tab putting in the effort just to visit me here Multiple times. Also had the thought na it would be better to develop sa [Philippines because] I feel I wouldnt get as much opportunity if I played [Division 1] sa States."
He also underscored the importance of family ties, with the opportunity opening up to be coached by his dad in Katipunan.
"[It] also was a dream of mine to play under my dad." he said.
[ALSO READ: Next in Line: Kieffer Alas wants dad Louie to witness him make it to US NCAA, NBA]
Alas previously played with De La Salle Zobel until UAAP Season 87, where he was crowned UAAP Boys’ Basketball MVP.
He averaged 20.07 points, 11.14 rebounds, 4.93 assists, and 1.07 steals per game.
Alas also played with the youth national team, where he had a pivotal role in helping the team clinch a spot in the U-17 World Cup before missing out on the main tournament due to injury.
He heads to Ateneo with key holdover Jared Bahay as they vie for a return to the UAAP Final Four.
Alas will have a full five years of eligibility for the Blue Eagles.
[ALSO READ: Next in Line: Kieffer Alas guided by military-like dad Louie in pursuit of US hoops dream]
Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.