ATENEO-commit Kieffer Alas will be playing his last game in the Smart-NBTC National Finals presented by SM on Saturday.
Since 2023, the former Gilas Pilipinas Youth mainstay and UAAP boys' basketball MVP has been a fixture in the annual showcase of the top young talent in the Philippines, but he now takes the next step in his promising career, committing to the Blue Eagles starting Season 89.
Alas moves up to the next level as the first and only four-time NBTC All-Star - one-upping Kai Sotto who was hailed as one of the best under-19 players thrice when he was still a Blue Eaglet.
"Thank you very much to NBTC. It will forever be an honor to have had the chance to play here for the last three years," said the 6-foot-3 guard, who was also the youngest player to be named NBTC All-Star as a 15 year old.
Unlike years past, Alas had to wait a little longer to seal his spot, as he was not part of the 2026 NBTC 24 due to his stint in the U.S. playing for Utah Prep.
Team Heart vs. Team Hustle
The now-18-year-old, though, dropped 30 points in his second game in this year's National Finals for Phenom NZ Blue Fire in their 87-78 triumph over Urbana Studios x San Beda.
That effectively saved his seat on Team Heart captained by NBTC 24 No. 1 player Cabs Cabonilas (FEU-Diliman), alongside another Baby Tamaraw in Marc Burgos, Jay-M Leal (Ateneo), Kirk Cañete (UST), Bruce Tubongbanua (UPIS), Mark Esperanza (San Sebastian), Justin Cargo (Letran), Ray Ladica (Arellano), Lian Basa (SHS-Ateneo), Jhon Lord Cruz (North Luzon), Duke Solon (Mindanao), and Zedrick Castillo (South Luzon).
Their other additions are Arellano's Aaron Manansala, Fil-Nation Select LA's Joaquin Tovera, and Fil-Nation Select USA's Blaze Johnson.
Alas will play against former De La Salle Zobel teammate and second-ranked NBTC 24 player Maco Dabao, NCAA juniors MVP Sean Franco (Arellano), Mot Matias and Shaun Lucido (NUNS), Jarl Artango (Adamson), Noah Banal (Ateneo), Nathan Egea (Letran), Andrei Ugaddan (San Beda), Josef Calo-oy (LSGH), Kelly Coronel (EAC), Henry Suico (SHS-Ateneo), and J Lord Pepito (Visayas).
Team Hustle will be reinforced by UST's Joaqui Ludovice, Off-Campus Residences x Toyomoto's Rene Baterbonia, Fil-Nation Select USA's Quali Giran, and D'Generals x Dynamix Creative's Ruzzel Del Poso.
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