KEVIN Alas had a scary fall during the PBA All-Star Game in Passi City on Sunday when he attempted to block a dunk attempt by Jamie Malonzo.
Alas put on a fine performance in his first-ever All-Star appearance when he had 35 points in a losing effort as Team Scottie lost to Team Japeth, 140-136.
See Paul Lee's All-Star MVP-worthy shooting turns Cone into a fan
But fans also remembered Alas going down hard to the floor after a bold attempt to stop a dunk try by Malonzo in the late endgame.
When asked about the incident, Alas explained that he made an effort to stop Malonzo as the dunk would result in a three points for Team Japeth at the height of a Team Scottie comeback.
“We were down by two. Pag na-shoot ni Jamie ‘yung dunk, diba three points ‘yung dunk, magiging lima ang lamang. Magiging two possession game,” said Alas.
“Sabi ko, foul ko na lang para ma-shoot ‘yung free throws, we had a chance na maka-tie. Wala. Talo pa rin. Siguro competitive nature lang na foul-in para may chance mag-tie sa dulo,” said Alas.
Alas shrugged off the fall, but admitted he got a hurt a bit afterwards.
“Medyo masakit after pero okay naman ngayon,” said Alas.
Alas said he enjoyed the competitive nature of the All-Star Game even as many felt that the NLEX star would have won the MVP had Team Scottie gone home with the victory.
“Actually, it’s the first time I’ve seen [an All-Star Game] na as competitive as that. I’m really blessed to be a part of a game na as competitive as that.
"Kita mo ‘yung mga big man, sila Christian [Standhardinger], sila Raymond [Almazan], sila Calvin [Abueva], nagpipisikalan, kung may mga gustong dumunk, hindi pinapa-dunk. It’s really nice to witness na ganun ang laro na walang bigayan. Kita mo sila coach Tim [Cone] at coach Yeng [Guiao], nagdo-drawing ng play, may defensive strategy,” said Alas.
“Kaso talo eh,” said Alas when told of the possibility of winning the MVP. “Siguro mentality ko lang sa game, all by God’s grace na nandoon tayo. Salamat sa mga bumoto. I guess my way of thanking the fans is to give my 100 percent pagdating sa game.
"It’s just a way of giving back to the fans. Ayaw naman nila makakita ng coasting along game.”
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
