KIEFFER Alas is setting his sights on a return with De La Salle-Zobel in the UAAP Season 87 in 2025 as he plays his first competitive league since sustaining a sprained ACL injury last June or before the FIBA Under-17 Basketball World Cup.
Alas said he has already recovered from the injury that he got during a tune-up game just days prior to the opening of the U-17 World Cup.
Alas, the top star of the national team after finishing in the Mythical Five of the FIBA Asia Under-16 Championship in 2023, missed the entire tournament, with Gilas Youth finishing last place out of 16 teams in the tournament.
READ: Kieffer Alas has sprained knee, escapes serious injury after MRI
His injury only required therapy and rehabilitation to heal, and the Grade 11 student-athlete is good to go, excited to come back strong for the coming UAAP season.
“Na-clear ako like three months ago so continuous ‘yung strengthening and workout ko,” said the 17-year-old Alas in an interview during the Siklab Youth Awards recently where he was a Youth Heroes Award. recipient. “I started training na with my team again two months ago. So I’m feeling great and stronger.”
Alas admitted he was so devastated when he sustained the injury that caused him to miss the U-17 World Cup.
“It really ruined my mental health, not just my physical health. But ‘yun nga, my parents’ love for me is always there,” Alas said.
With his recovery, Alas is confident that he can go back to his usual form for the coming UAAP wars where he will look to replicate his performance where he won the Mythical Five award last season that would also lead to a team accomplishment for the Junior Archers.
“So I just hope na makabawi ako this coming UAAP. Hopefully, make it to the Final Four and win individual awards also,” Alas said.
While his stint with the World Cup didn’t prosper, Alas said he will forever remember how Gilas Pilipinas Youth got there with a 64-59 win over Japan in the quarterfinals of the FIBA Under-16 Asian Championships in 2023, clinching one of the four World Cup spots for the zone.
Alas had 29 points in that ballgame.
“I can't forget that moment. That's the best moment I've ever had in my life. So, everyday, I thank God for it,” said Alas.
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