RJ Jazul knows what it is like to play under Louie Alas.
Now, years after starring for Alas during their time in Letran, Jazul finds himself on the other side of the huddle, helping Alas mold a new generation at Ateneo.
It is a full-circle moment for the former Knight, who once took instructions from Alas as a player and now gets to learn from him all over again as an assistant coach.
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“Siyempre, masaya. Ganun na ako katanda,” Jazul jokingly told Spin.ph before getting serious about his reunion with his former mentor.
“I’m grateful na sabi ko pala siya hanggang ngayon. Siyempre, from me being his player up now, mentoring pa rin niya ako until coaching career ko,” he added.
And while the game has changed since Jazul’s playing days at Letran, he sees plenty of familiarity in how Alas runs his teams.
“Ganun pa rin naman, kaya medyo familiar din ako sa sistema,” Jazul said.
One thing that has remained constant is the emphasis on defense.
For Ateneo, Jazul said the challenge under Alas is to bring back the toughness on that end of the floor, even as the Blue Eagles continue to find different players who can step up offensively.
“Sa defense, siyempre, ngayon yung focus namin dito sa Ateneo is to play tougher defense,” the former PBA player said.
That defensive identity is something Jazul remembers from his days under Alas at Letran, making the transition from player to assistant coach feel even more natural.
“Pareho lang halos,” Jazul said when asked about the similarities.
The difference now is that Jazul is no longer simply listening to Alas from inside the lines.
He is helping deliver the same principles to Ateneo’s young core.
From Kevin to Kieffer
And one of the players Jazul is now helping handle is rookie Kiefer Alas, Louie’s son, who has already shown flashes of a much bigger ceiling.
Jazul knows the comparison will be inevitable, especially after seeing another young Alas make an impact during his Letran days with Kevin.
But while Kiefer has impressed right away, Jazul was careful not to put the rookie in his older brother’s shadow.
“I think sobrang taas na ceiling for Kiefer,” Jazul said.
“His potential, siyempre, as a rookie, parang di rookie eh. I mean, 20-plus points.”
Still, Jazul knows Kevin set his own standard at Letran.
“O siyempre, iba rin si Kevin. Iba yung ginawa niya sa Letran.”
Different generation. Different teams. Different role.
But for Jazul, one thing remains familiar: Louie Alas’ basketball.
And at Ateneo, he is now helping carry that blueprint from the other side of the bench.
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