Kevin Alas of Talk N’ Text Tropang Texters (light) vs Jonathan Uyloan of Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (dark). PBA IMAGE by Nuki Sabio
MANILA, Philippines — Rookie Kevin Alas gave Talk ‘N Text a glimpse of its future and Rain or Shine what it missed out on Sunday night.
Alas played his best game yet in his young professional career with 18 points against the Elasto Painters, who drafted him second overall before eventually trading him, to lead the Tropang Texters to a 99-76 win in the 2015 PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Sometimes you have a breakout game and Kevin had his. I don’t know how many points he scored but he played very well,” said TNT head coach Jong Uichio. “It’s just a matter of being consistent scoring, defending and assisting.”
In a game where Jimmy Alapag sat out and Jayson Castro wasn’t himself, Alas ran the pick and roll like the heady Alapag and found his way through the rugged Rain or Shine defense like the relentless Castro.
The 22-year-old Alas, an MVP in the PBA D-League and former college star in the NCAA, finished with 18 points, nine coming in the third quarter, where the Texters put the game away. He went 7-of-12 from the field and collected six rebounds and four assists.
Aside from Alas, another rookie in Matt Ganuelas-Rosser continues to prove his worth. Rosser wound up with 11 points, six rebounds and two blocks apart from his high activity level on the floor.
“We’re just trying to give our rookies minutes to help them gain confidence. We all know what their capabilities are,” said Uichico, whose team improved to 2-2.
Jeff Chan had 16 for the Painters, whose go-to guy Paul Lee got hurt early in the third quarter. Lee, who just recovered from a hyperextended knee last Wednesday did not return to finish with just eight points in 14 minutes of action.
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