MANILA, Philippines—Suffering two injuries in the same knee made Kevin Alas realize how important it is to take care of one’s mental health.
Between March 2018 and February 2019, Alas suffered two anterior cruciate ligament tears in his right knee leaving him a shell of his former self, going from a Gilas lock-in to a fringe All-Star with NLEX in the PBA.
“After my second ACL injury, I think personally that was the lowest I’ve been in my basketball career so it’s really big help when you seek out a sports psychologist,” said Alas after the Road Warriors’ 104-97 win over Phoenix in a tune-up game Friday at Upper Deck Sports Center.
“You really learn a lot and even though you know that things like these happen for a reason. When you have a problem then it’s ok to be sad or feel negativity but it’s important to talk it out with a professional.”
Alas suffered his first ACL injury during the semifinals of the 2018 Philippine Cup then again during the eliminations of the 2019 All-Filipino Conference. Both of those accidents happened in the same venue at Ynares Center.
But Alas is now on the path to recovery, including getting back the confidence that he used to have in him as a younger player.
“Physically, mentally I’m okay but the confidence is getting there and I can’t say it’s at a hundred percent,” said the 28-year-old Alas.