SEA Games

Alas turns physicality into motivation in semis

Jane Bracher

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Alas turns physicality into motivation in semis
Rookie combo guard Kevin Alas relishes the physicality in the PBA and shows he's more than ready for it

MANILA, Philippines – The notorious PBA brand of physicality is known to spark hostility, but it can also stir motivation.

Rookie Kevin Alas managed to benefit from the latter, turning shoves and pushes into a conference-high 12 points and 4 rebounds to help fuel Talk ’N Text’s 93-77 win over Purefoods in game 2 of their best-of-5 semifinals series Monday, April 6.

“Actually part of the game naman yun, yung pisikalan at hawakan,” the 23-year old combo guard said, following a game that saw a heated exchange of words between players outside of the locker rooms after the final buzzer. “So siguro baka na-motivate din ako na siyempre pinipisikal ako.”

(Actually that’s part of the game, the physicality and holding. So perhaps it motivated me because they’re roughing me up.)

The former Colegio de San Juan de Letran standout is used to physical play from his days in the NCAA. He knew coming into the PBA it was bound to be much tougher.

At one point in the emotionally-charged match, Alas and Purefoods’ Mick Pennisi got tangled up, both players scrambling on the floor.

By the ensuing play, Alas immediately responded with a putback over the outstretched hand of Pennisi.

“Gusto ko ma-shoot talaga para matignan ko siya e,” Alas said with a smile.

(I really wanted to score so I can look at him.)

The 2014 second overall draft pick buoyed the Texters in the pivotal fourth quarter Monday night, fueling a momentum-seizing run that turned back the surging Hotshots. He poured 10 of his points in the fourth before veteran playmaker Jayson Castro took over and delivered the lethal finishing blows to wrap up a series-tying victory.

“Finally, first na magandang laro ko this conference (Finally, it’s my first good game this conference),” said Alas, who finished in double figures for the first time this Commissioner’s Cup. “But at the same time we can’t be satisfied that we won now. Coach said one win doesn’t win the series.”

Head coach Jong Uichico put his faith on the first year with Castro in foul trouble, and Alas delivered.

“Kevin, he stepped up in the fourth quarter,” Uichico said. “He made some big shots. He held the fort while Jayson was out of the game. Malaking bagay yun (It’s a big deal). He’s gaining that experience as a rookie.”

“Ngayon medyo sanay na rin kasi since college tsaka sa Gilas naglalaro rin ako hanggang sa dulo,” Alas admitted he is no longer as surprised he was used down the stretch. “Kailangan ko lang maging ready palagi pag binunot ako sa endgame, so kailangan ko mag-perform.”

(Now I’m a little used to it because since college and with Gilas I already experienced playing until the end. I just need to be ready always when I’m fielded in the endgame, so I need to perform.)

No backing down

Both Purefoods and Talk ’N Text fought in full force on Monday, barely allowing neither side any easy baskets.

Import Ivan Johnson and Marc Pingris were each whistled for technicals and were seen exchanging words in a dead ball situation.

Rookie Matt Ganuelas-Rosser was the recipient of a forearm square on the face from Allein Maliksi, who was slapped with a flagrant foul penalty 1. Rosser instantly went for Maliksi after breaking free from being being tangled up in a rebound play, but officials and cooler heads broke the scuffle.


“It’s just part of the game,” Rosser spoke of being roughed up. “It’s two good teams, we don’t want to back down. They don’t want to back down. It’s gonna be a physical series.”

The Gilas cadet also admitted he felt Maliksi’s hit was intentional, but left it to the officials whether or not it should have been a flagrant 2.

“It’s not my call, it’s up to the refs. It was clear to me, it was definitely intentional but it was up to the refs. Maliksi knows, the refs really know.”

James Yap, who finished with 15 points in game 2, is expecting more physicality as game 3 is slated on Thursday, April 9.

“Sa playoffs ganoon talaga. Walang gusto magpatalo, lahat gusto manalo,” he said. “Ready lang kami. Dami na rin namin experience na ganoon so I’m sure handa naman kami.”

(It’s the nature of the playoffs. Nobody wants to lose, everybody wants to win. We’ll just be ready. We experienced plenty of that so I’m sure we’re ready.) – Rappler.com

Add a comment

Sort by

There are no comments yet. Add your comment to start the conversation.

Summarize this article with AI

How does this make you feel?

Loading
Download the Rappler App!