NLEX hurdled its first two assignments to gain the early lead in the PBA Governors’ Cup. Part of that is the steady play of guard Kevin Alas.
Living up to his surname, Alas served as the Road Warriors’ much-needed endgame ace in their feisty victories against San Miguel and Northport for a 2-0 win-loss record in the PBA’s first import-spiced conference amid the pandemic.
The NLEX captain registered 16.5 points, 6.0 assists, and 4.0 rebounds including a bevy of heroic moments in those two big wins, earning him the first Cignal Play – PBA Press Corps Player of the Week citation for the period Dec. 8 to 12.
Up against the beefed-up Beermen, Alas quarterbacked the Road Warriors’ drive with 12 points, eight assists, and four rebounds as they ran away with a 114-102 win in the opener at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
The 30-year-old guard from Letran followed that up with a 21-point output together with four rebounds, and four assists against Northport in an overtime win, 120-115.
That performance against Batang Pier included three crucial free throws in the final 1.2 seconds of regulation that tied the game at 102. He also had another pair of game-preserving freebies in extra time.
“Si God na lahat ‘yun. Kasi nung nandun ako, pressure na yung nararamdaman ko, e. Pero hindi ko na iniisip ano yung nangyari. Nagdadasal na lang ako doon,” Alas, who also atoned for his costly foul on Robert Bolick in the last minute of the fourth period, said.
Alas bested Chris Banchero and Matthew Wright of Phoenix Super LPG, which also went 2-0 in the league’s opening week following wins against Terrafirma and Blackwater. (PBA) – bny
