Kevin Alas being molded to fill Jimmy Alapag’s shoes at Talk ’N Text

Jane Bracher

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Kevin Alas being molded to fill Jimmy Alapag’s shoes at Talk ’N Text
Is Kevin Alas the next Jimmy Alapag for the successful franchise?

MANILA, Philippines – The Talk ’N Text Tropang Texters are not only rebuilding for this season, but they are also preparing for the future.

Former Letran Knights standout Kevin Alas is being molded to fill in the shoes of veteran playmaker Jimmy Alapag, who, at 36 years old, is entering the twilight of his career.

“When Jimmy retires we have Kevin right away,” head coach Jong Uichico bared. “Kevin will have to wait for his time because there’s still a Jimmy and we know that Jimmy’s retiring so it’s a good transition period.” 

The 7-time champions Talk ’N Text, which completed a hat trick of Philippine Cup titles in 2013, acquired young guns Alas and Matt Ganuelas for this season to bolster an ageing line-up. To Uichico, the roles of the two rookies are clear: “They give us some youth for the future.”

Alas, 22, found his way to the Texters via a trade even before his first PBA game.

After being drafted second overall by Rain or Shine, Alas was traded to the Texters as sharp-shooter Paul Lee re-signed with the Painters. Rain or Shine received another shooter in KG Canaleta who was sent to the NLEX Road Warriors in exchange for a 2015 first round pick.

While Ganuelas, who was drafted 4th overall by NLEX, was acquired through a series of trades that saw him end up with the Texters, which gave Globalport its 2017 first round pick.

Slowly but surely the rookies are being ushered into a new era where they will take the lead.

“Matt Ganuelas gives us the size and quickness at his position,” Uichico added. “Hopefully they (Matt and Kevin) live up to their potential.” 

The next Jimmy?

If Alas’ 15 points on 3-of-6 three-point shooting along with two assists in 17 minutes of action against Alaska are any indication, then the former D-League Most Valuable Player is already showing glimpses of a mighty future.

Alapag himself certainly approves.

“Kevin is an incredibly talented young player. You look at what he did during his college career and I think his time with Gilas only helped him,” said the longtime Gilas Pilipinas point guard and former PBA MVP. 

Like Alapag, Alas is a member of the national team and was instrumental in the cadets’ 2013 SEA Games gold medal finish. He also played a key role for Gilas when they nabbed a bronze in the 2014 FIBA Asia Cup just before the FIBA World Cup.

“Getting that international experience only made his transition from amateur to playing in the PBA a lot smoother as opposed to just playing amateur and jumping straight to the PBA,” mused Alapag, though he and Alas have yet to team up at Gilas. “He’s got a long, great career ahead of him. Whatever I can do to help make his transition easier for him, I’m all for it.” 

Alas entered the game against Alaska with 2:09 left in the first frame and immediately contributed when he dished an assist to Ranidel de Ocampo. And although the Texters were left stunned after Calvin Abueva’s buzzer-beater to win the game, Alas’ performance is not to be ignored.

It turns out, pulling the trigger and shrugging off any second thoughts was exactly what Alapag had advised to the combo guard Alas. 

Sabi niya every game huwag daw ako mahiya tumira,” shared Alas, who is already a 3-time champion with NLEX when the team was still in the D-League. “Be aggressive kasi tendency ko maging passive sa game. Sabi niya just play your game.” (He told me that every game I shouldn’t be gun-shy. Be aggressive because my tendency is to be passive during a game. He told me to just play my game.)

There’s no question a bright future awaits Alas in the PBA and possibly with the Texters if he makes a home there. But is he the next Jimmy Alapag for the successful franchise?

“I think Kevin’s a natural scorer,” Alapag shared what he sees in Alas. “I think he’s very crafty scoring the ball. He can obviously shoot the three and finish around the basket. I just think Kevin will continue to get better. I think just as his career goes you’ll see the growth.”

Alapag admitted the transition period is “a little bit” like a passing of the torch. But not all the way just yet.

“I’m not gone just yet but at the same time I think he (Kevin) is in a great position not only getting a chance to learn from myself but even Jayson (Castro),” he explained.

“I think him and Jayson will be together a lot longer than he and I will be. But while we’re together, whatever I can do to help him, I’m willing to do.”

Alas is definitely dreaming of being as big as Alapag.

I hope, siyempre. Ako as a rookie siya yung ni-look up to ko. Pangarap ko maging tulad niya. If given the chance, why not?” (I hope, of course. As a rookie I look up to him. My dream is to be like him.)

For now, Alas faces a long process of learning from the veterans.

Alapag has yet to fully dive into the flow of Talk ’N Text this season coming off his stint with the nationals, which is why he hasn’t been able to mentor full time. But little by little, he’s been re-immersing himself and gearing up for a return to the PBA. 

He takes time na bigyan ako ng advice,” Alas shared his first taste of mentorship from Alapag. “For me flattered ako and para magsipag ako sa practice.” (He takes time to give me advice. For me I’m flattered and it’s also so I work harder in practice.)

“Any input that I have during practices that maybe he could do better or something that he missed, I don’t hesitate to tell him,” Alapag added. – Rappler.com

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