Kevin Alas vs Jerrick Ahanmisi. PBA IMAGES
Kevin Alas got a tongue-lashing from head coach Yeng Guiao, but it didn’t take long for the NLEX point guard to redeem himself after what could’ve been a costly play.
Alas fouled Rain or Shine guard Chris Tiu during a jump ball that led to two free throws that gave the Elasto Painters a 110-108 edge in the waning seconds of the first overtime.
That triggered the fiery Guiao to give Alas an earful during a timeout.
But Alas was never discouraged and if anything, he was more determined to bounce back right away and he did in the ensuing play when he fearlessly drove and sank a layup over Beau Belga to drag the game into double OT where the Road Warriors escaped, 122-114.
“Coach Yeng called me out on the foul. I knew he was going to let me know about it and my mindset was to atone for it,” said Alas, who was named Player of the Week on Monday.
“I had to make a good pass, I got the ball back and I saw the opportunity to score,” he recalled.
The 25-year-old Alas has been a major key in NLEX’s franchise-best 3-0 start, averaging 19.0 points, 7.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists in the stretch.
Alas, who is emerging as the Road Warriors’ leader, had his best game yet this conference after putting up 24 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. He scored half of his output in the fourth quarter and overtime periods.
“Kevin Alas has been playing consistently. I called him out for committing that stupid foul on the jump ball, but he made up for it on the next play,” Guiao told reporters.
“So he’s a young player with maturity and consistency so far. I hope I don’t jinx it.”