NBTC's first and only four-time All-Star is taking the next step in his young career as a winner.
Kieffer Alas made the most of his final appearance in the Smart-National Finals presented by SM, scoring 23 points to help Team Heart get the better of Team Hustle, 110-108, in the 2026 ANTA All-Star Game, Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The 18 year old, who had recently committed to Ateneo, punctuated his three-year stint as one of the best 19-under talents in the Philippines by shooting 9-of-17 from the field, including five triples, while also collecting five assists and four rebounds.
"I feel old. From calling people kuya to being called kuya," said Alas, who was also the youngest player to be named NBTC All-Star back when he was 15.
"Playing NBTC helped me with my maturity because I experienced a lot of setbacks here. I'll just use it as motivation for UAAP," he added, as he and Phenom NZ Blue Fire fell short in the Division 1 tournament for the second straight year.
It was the former Gilas Pilipinas Youth mainstay and UAAP boys' basketball MVP's top of the key three that capped off five unanswered points for Team Heart that erased a one-point deficit inside the last two minutes and erected a 110-106 advantage with 61 seconds left.
From there, Alas and Co. just played disciplined defense, as Henry Suico's made inside basket and Seann Franco's missed three at the buzzer failed to put Team Hustle over the top.
Ray Ladica was right there with Alas, contributing 14 points and four rebounds, as Joaqui Ludovice fired all of his eight markers in the last six minutes for Team Heart.
Team Hustle's effort was fronted by Kelly Coronel who dropped an impressive 35 points on top of six rebounds before being sat out in the endgame.
All-Star Saturday
The Girls’ ANTA All-Star Game then saw Team Pride impose its will on Team Passion, 142-112, behind a 14-point, 2-rebound, 2-assist performance from Lea Pinuela.
Then in the Manila Showcase, the Prospects cruised to a 121-96 triumph over the Aspirants. Jason Bundalian got 18 points to go with seven rebounds and seven assists to star in the showcase of other standouts in the Smart-National Finals presented by SM.
Winners of the side events include Mapua's Froilan Reyes in the Three-Point Shootout; Team North Luzon with Jairus Armendez, Mark Den Cruz, and Mark Khelvin Macalinao in the Shooting Stars; and Tumakbo USA's Chase Robertson in the Skills Challenge.
The 2026 Smart-NBTC National Finals presented by SM culminates on Sunday with the Division 1 final pitting reigning titlist Fil-Am Nation USA against UST x D'Generals, as the Division 2 final features defending champion Top Flights Canada vs. Mapua.
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