AFTER a scary anterior cruciate ligament injury to his left knee six months ago, rising point guard Kieffer Alas is physically and mentally recovering, according to him and his father-coach Louie Alas.
“From one to 10, I believe nasa 10 na po ako physically,” said the youngest of the Alas basketball-playing siblings, who was among those cited as Young Heroes Awardees during the Nickel Asia Corp. Siklab Awards last week at the Market! Market! Mall Activity Center in Taguig City.
A key member of the Young Gilas squad that placed fourth in the 2023 FIBA Under-16 Asian Cup in Doha, Qatar, Alas acknowledged he was down in the dumps when he suffered the ACL injury nearly a half-year ago.
“Mentally (and emotionally) I was at the lowest level po talaga. I just couldn’t think straight,” said the Grade 11 La Salle Zobel student, who cited family support, especially his father and mother Liza, for getting himself physically and psychologically back on track.
“Mentally tough ‘yang batang ‘yan so there has never been any problem on that score,” said the elder Alas, now one of Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin’s deputies with the Blue Eagles who accompanied his son during the event with a proud smile on his face.
With the much-needed morale boost and prayers from his parents and family, the younger brother of Gilas Pilipinas and NLEX Warriors player Kevin disclosed that he had been doing five-on-five scrimmages with his teammates at La Salle Zobel regularly for the last two months.
The elder Alas said his son is nearly 100 percent ready for the UAAP Season 87 junior varsity season that opens next month.
“Malapit na mag-100 percent (si Kieffer). Lahat ng ginagawa niya dati sa team practice nagagawa na niya. Ang kulang na lang sa kanya ‘yung rhythm and game atmosphere. Kaya kailangan ng constant repetition,” the coach said.
He added that his son’s work ethic was top-notch, doing two to three workouts with his teammates on average daily and with his own personal trainer on top of doing extra drills on his own.
“May kusa ‘yang batang ‘yan so I am confident of his recovery.”
The younger Alas said he needs to work on his stamina and endurance to match if not surpass his performance levels before the injury.
The elder Alas said this was also why Kieffer also has a personal physiotherapist and strength and conditioning trainer to address these needs.
While there have been offers from schools, including La Salle, of course, for Kieffer to suit up once he becomes a senior two years from now, the father said his son’s full focus is with the junior Green Archers and steering them to the Final Four next season.
“There have been offers but my son told me ‘Dad, my focus is on my high school team and nothing else.’ UAAP Final Four muna next season then moving up from there. Wala pa ngang girlfriend ‘yan,” the veteran and multi-titled mentor said.
“Kieffer seems to be heeding his mother’s advice. Liz told him that there were three things important to choose for himself right now: basketball, studies and a girlfriend. You can choose basketball and studies, basketball and girlfriend or girlfriend and studies. You can’t have all three,” the elder Alas revealed regarding his tall and good-looking child.
“Darating sa kay Kieffer ‘yan (girlfiend), hindi mo na kailangan hanapin,” he told his youngest son during one of their family chats. “Okay naman siya. Hindi siya sumasagot, nakangiti lang siya.”
