KEVIN Alas’ perseverance and hard work off the court is set to be rewarded as he will march as one of the graduates of this year’s batch from Letran on April 15.
After seven years in college, the 24-year-old cager will finally wear his cap and gown, and receive his diploma for his B.S. Information Technology degree.
“Naka-silat din,” Alas said with a smile.
“Masarap dahil kahit medyo hectic yung schedule, natapos ko rin,” he added. “Masaya ako dahil proud yung parents ko sa akin.”
The sophomore NLEX playmaker started collegiate academic and playing career in 2009, but stopped in 2013 when he chose to forego his final year of eligibility with the Knights to focus on his stint with Gilas Pilipinas.
The 6-foot combo guard won a Southeast Asian Games gold medal in 2013 and a bronze in the Fiba Asia Cup in Wuhan the following year.
Alas returned to college the second semester of the same year and completed his requirements this school year while playing for the Road Warriors.
“Nung una bago ako bumalik ng school, inisip ko kung kakayanin ko ba yung schedule,” Alas contemplated. “Yung una, hirap na hirap ako, then siguro bandang huli, nakasanayan ko na lang rin.”
“Time management lang naman eh,” added the second of four sons of former Letran coach and now Alaska assistant Louie Alas.
By graduating, Alas set an example to his fellow student-athletes.
“Talagang ipa-prioritize mo dapat yung sarili mo as student first before athlete, kasi yung basketball naman, hindi forever yan eh,” Alas said. “Pag tapos ka na sa basketball, may fallback ka – may diploma ka at may mapupuntahan ka.”
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