Alas rues ‘stupid, selfish play’ in NLEX loss to Star

MANILA, Philippines – Kevin Alas was quick to take responsibility for NLEX’s 97-95 loss to Star Sunday night, November 9. 

The second year guard emerged from the locker room at the PhilSports Arena distraught and proceeded to blame himself for the failed upset attempt.

“(It was a) stupid and selfish play,” the 23-year old said of the crucial turnover he committed that could have instead been a go-ahead NLEX basket with 1.6 seconds left.

“Siyempre sa court, point guard yung coach diyan eh. So talagang kung may [sisisihin], point guard yun at nasa akin yung bola.” (On the court, the point guard is the coach. So if there’s someone to blame, it should be the point guard and I had the ball.) 

The former Letran standout pushed the ball after Asi Taulava secured the rebound off of two missed free throws by James Yap with 9 seconds to go. In fervent desire to overturn a precarious 96-95 Hotshots lead, Alas lost control of the ball in transition and Justin Melton was fouled to stop the clock at 1.6 seconds.

Melton split his charities but NLEX barely had hope to tie or win it with a little over a second left to put up a shot in the final possession.

“Kasi nakita ko yung defense na medyo naka-relax. Pero I know mali yung decision-making ko doon,” the 2014 second overall draft pick explained. “Talagang nahiya ako sa mga kasama ko, kasi kumbaga I wasted the team’s effort kasi ang layo ng hinabol namin.” 

(I saw the defense was a bit relaxed. But I know I made a mistake in my decision-making. I was really embarrassed because it’s like I wasted the team’s effort to come back into the game.) 

The Road Warriors failed to complete their comeback from 19 points down in the third quarter and suffered their first setback in the 2016 PBA Philippine Cup after a 2-0 start. 

“Probably we just forgot to call a timeout,” NLEX head coach Boyet Fernandez said of the critical play, emphasizing that nobody is pointing fingers. 

“But as I told our players, we take this game on a positive note. We’re not blaming one another. We learn from this. That [failing to call a] timeout will never happen again for sure.” 

The Warriors can pour their frustrations out on the Mahindra Enforcers when they clash on Friday, November 13.

“When I entered the dugout they were saying sorry for that miscue. We’ll be more of an intelligent team next time,” said Fernandez. “At least we know that even though we’re down by 19 we still came back and nearly won the ballgame.” – Rappler.com