Alas sets sight on NLEX, son Kevin with 1st Phoenix win out of way

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net

ANTIPOLO — It has been 16 years since Louie Alas tasted a victory as a head coach in the PBA.

Winning in his second game at the helm for the Fuel Masters on Wednesday, a 125-102 triumph over Kia at Ynares Center, the congenial mentor couldn’t help but reminisce on the old days.

“It’s been a long time. I know I’m younger then,” he said with a chuckle as he nabbed his first conquest in the pro league since steering Talk ’N Text to an 86-76 win over Tanduay at Cuneta Astrodome.

The feeling of responsibility, though, hasn’t changed for Alas as he couldn’t really savor his victory as he has his eyes set on the team’s next game.

“All I’m thinking of is NLEX,” he said of the Fuel Masters’ next assignment on January 7. “You can’t relax here because every team is a strong team. [NLEX] has a deep lineup and we almost have the same system offensively, run-and-gun. So we just have to play non-stop defense against them.”

It also puts Alas in a tight spot as he has to devise a plan to stop his son and Road Warriors star Kevin Alas, as well as super rookie Kiefer Ravena.

“They’re going to be a big problem for us because before, when you trap Kevin, you don’t have to think much of the others. But now, they have lots of weapons especially with Kief and Larry Fonacier, so you really have to put a lot of defensive schemes against them,” he said.

But this early, the elder Alas is playing mindgames with his son, baring what he feels as Kevin’s weaknesses going to the tussle.

“Kevin really has a difficulty with the trap. I’m really saying this out loud so they have to think about it,” he said. “Half-court, full-court, we will trap. Now, even up to the parking lot, we will trap him.”