MANILA, Philippines – NLEX guard Kevin Alas underwent successful surgery on the right knee he reinjured, his father and Phoenix head coach Louie said.

The older Alas said his son is already in “high spirits” after going under the knife on Saturday, February 9, but he chose to remain in the hospital to get his bearings back. 

“Okay naman, medyo masakit daw kaya nag-stay siya (He’s okay. He stayed in the hospital because he was still feeling pain),” Louie told reporters after Phoenix’s first loss in the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup.

“He’s in high spirits na. Ayaw lang kumain. (He’s already in high spirits. He just has no appetite.)“

Missing two whole conferences last season after tearing the ACL on the same knee, the younger Alas already suited up for the Road Warriors but was bitten by the injury bug again just 5 games into his PBA return.

Initial diagnosis revealed he didn’t sustain major injuries. However, the MRI showed he tore his ACL anew. (READ: Alas says he’s fine after bad fall, but bares injury fear lingers)

The incident may have taken a toll on the national team stalwart.

“Ayaw daw muna niyang manood [ng basketball] eh,” the older Alas said. “Siguro ‘pag nag-uumpisa na siyang mag-therapy, which is after two weeks, or nagre-rehab na.”

(He said he still doesn’t want to watch basketball games. Maybe he’ll start watching when he is already undergoing therapy, which is after two weeks, or when he’s already on rehab.) 

Kevin is expected to sit out for the next several months as NLEX looks for answers after dropping 4 of its 6 games in the all-Filipino conference. – Rappler.com