ALEX Compton and Louie Alas go all the way back with a special bond spanning over two decades — from their title-winning run with the Manila Metrostars to a five-year coaching partnership at Alaska Aces.
Such strong connection has gone full circle as Compton, who won the 1999 Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) title as a player with Alas as his first-ever head coach in the country, is now among the mentors of Coach Louie’s son and up-and-coming basketball star in Kieffer.
READ: Kieffer Alas says Fiba U16 stint an eye-opener on PH gap from Asia powers
The 16-year-old Alas will be taking part with De La Salle-Zobel in the 2024 National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) National Finals, where Compton serves as training director.
It goes without saying that Compton is beyond thrilled to see Kieffer rise through the ranks after all those years watching him grow up under the tutelage of his longtime pal and coaching colleague.
“First of all, I’m scared that Kieffer (Alas) can beat me up already so that’s not good. Buti na lang close kami ng pamilya niya,” Compton said in jest.
“I’m excited to watch [Kieffer and] all these guys play (in the NBTC). It’s so cool to come back (to the Philippines after three years) and see this," he added.
A star was born
Compton recalled his earliest basketball memories of Kieffer and his older brother Kevin, who now plays for the NLEX Road Warriors in the PBA.
“When I started playing in the Philippines, Kieffer wasn’t born yet. Coach Louie (Alas) was my coach in my second year (with the Manila Metrostars in the MBA).”
Compton added: “Ewan ko kung magagalit si Kevin sa’kin pero maliit ‘yang kuya ni Kieffer. Sasabihin niya sa’kin dati: ‘Alex Compton, Alex Compton, yabang mo!’”
And it was when Louie brought a young Kieffer to Alaska training sessions back in the day when Compton knew that his good friend’s basketball-loving son would soon make a name for himself away from the shadows of his clan’s name.
“It’s just really cool to see (Kieffer’s success) because even when Coach Louie, when we spent years together in Alaska, watching Kieffer come in before and after practice, Coach Louie would rebound [the ball], just helping Kieffer to get better,” said Compton.
Today, Kieffer stands as the NBTC's second-ranked high school basketball prospect in the country and will soon begin senior high school with the green-and-white.
But before his high school journey goes full throttle, Alas will first relish a once-in-a-lifetime shot at carving his and the country's names in the annals of world basketball when Gilas Youth takes center stage at the 2024 Fiba U-17 Basketball World Cup from June 29 to July 7 in Turkiye.
As golden opportunities and personal milestones come Alas' way, the only thing running in his mind as his fast-rising basketball career runs its course is to seize every shot that not every baller his age can be within arm's reach of.
“I don’t really think [opportunities] are coming too fast. I just let it all come to me. I enjoy din ‘yung mga opportunities that are coming to me because not every kid who’s 16 [years old] gets all these opportunities so I’m just gonna take advantage of the moment."
Alas added: “I’m just gonna take advantage of the opportunity because you never get to play against the best of the best again. Wala lang, I’m not gonna think about [expectations] too much.”
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