KEVIN Alas on Wednesday was back in action a year after undergoing a third surgery to repair a torn ACL.
And the date of his return was, indeed, intentional.
“(December 4) is one year from my surgery. ‘Yun lang naman ‘yung hinahabol namin na protocol na maka-one year ako bago bumalik,” said Alas.
Alas played 10 minutes and 30 seconds and finished with two points in NLEX’s 104-85 win over Terrafirma.
READ: NLEX deals woeful Terrafirma a third successive loss
It was his first game since November 18, 2023, when he went down with yet another knee injury at the Ynares Center in Antopolo during the Road Warriors' match-up with the Dyip.
Alas said he still need more games to return to full-strength, as he got tired easily when he was on the floor.
“Grateful na nakabalik na ulit,” said Alas. “Pero wala pa ‘yung rhythm, timing, hangin. Wala pa.”
Alas got his only two points on a layup with 29 seconds left in the first quarter.
“After that, pagod na eh,” Alas admitted. "Pero little by little. I’m just very, very grateful na nakabalik na ako. More than one year since last game ko. Very, very grateful talaga.”
No rush, no presh
NLEX coach Jong Uichico said the team is staying patient with Alas, as the latter is just about to get going after a long lay-off.
Even more, Uichico said the Road Warriors are looking forward to playing Alas and top scorer Robert Bolick together at the same time.
“He performed very well today. Gusto lang namin siya i-break in. Despite the long absence, maganda naman ‘yung pinakita niya ngayon. When he gets to play more minutes, makakalaro naman sila ni Robert together. But right now, hindi pa ‘yun ang target,” said Uichico.
Alas said he never felt any anxieties about playing again despite a surgically-repaired - thrice, at that - knee.
“Relaxed atmosphere lang, waiting for the game to come. Good thing, pumasok ako, medyo may lamang pa kami, so at least, wala masyadong pressure,” said Alas.
“To be honest, kanina, it’s more of wala talaga akong hangin. I really need to get more games para makuha ko ‘yung rhythm ko. When it comes to jitters, by God’s grace, very relaxed kanina,” said Alas.
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