Kevin Alas back from injury. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Kevin Alas’ painstaking recovery process from his injury left him off the basketball floor for almost a year, and now that the furlough is over the NLEX guard feels he’s starting life anew.
“I was so excited last night that I couldn’t sleep at all and I think I was a rookie again,” said Alas in his first game back in the PBA Philippine Cup Friday at Cuneta Astrodome.
His return, however, didn’t end in a fairy tale finish after NLEX dropped to Rain or Shine, 96-87.
This was Alas’ first competitive game since tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in March of 2018 during the fifth game of NLEX’ semfinals series against Magnolia in the Philippine Cup.
“It was also disappointing because I wanted to win the game but Rain or Shine was the better team,” said Alas who had 12 points and four assists in his return.
Apart from his personal return, the Road Warriors are also in the first stages of acclimating star big man Poy Erram into the system after they acquired the 6-foot-7 center from Blackwater in the offseason.
“Of course Poy is one the best bigs in the country but we have to work on our chemistry because that’s important for a team,” said Alas.
The Road Warriors’ lack of cohesiveness allowed Rain or Shine to let loose in the 50-50 balls establishing a 53-38 disparity in overall rebounds and a 20-7 edge under the offensive glass.
Rain or Shine’s relentless rebounding allowed them to score 21 second chance points, 14 more than what NLEX mustered.
“I think we lacked the effort because we were outrebounded, outhustled, and at the same time we have to improve on our on-court chemistry,” said Alas.