By LEE BENJAMIN
AT just 16 years old, Kieffer Alas continues to add to the already-sterling legacy of his family name.
Alas tallied a triple-double of 19 points on 8-of-15 shooting, 17 rebounds, and 13 assists in De La Salle Zobel's 100-76 rout of the University of the Philippines Integrated School on Sunday - and the son of Louie and brother of Kevin did it inside the historic Araneta Coliseum.
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"Yung surgery ni Kuya Kevin is bukas so I dedicate this game to him," he said, talking about Kevin's third ACL reconstruction in five years.
Only in his second season in UAAP boys basketball, Alas has achieved what his illustrious older brother never did in the NCAA or PBA - essentially proving what Kevin has been stating time and again: that Kieffer has the potential to be the best Alas.
"Actually, I don't mind those things. For me, I just try to be the best version of myself," answered Kieffer when asked about his kuya's claim.
To indeed be the best player in their basketball family, though, the youngest Alas knows full well he has to round out his game. When last year, he was a super scorer who averaged 13.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists, he has been challenged by his father to shine this season in all aspects of the game.
"Actually, that was the goal my dad set for me since the end of last season. Last season, I was scoring lang mostly, so my dad gave me advice na even if you're not scoring, be effective in other ways. I guess it translated here," he said.
So far, so good, as after this triple-double, the 6-foot-2 wing is now norming 23.3 points, 12.0 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and just 1.7 turnovers through three games. This, after his similarly strong showing in the FIBA U16 Asian Championship where he put up 15.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists for the World Cup-bound Gilas Pilipinas Youth.
Now, it's all about keeping his foot on the gas, as he leads the 2-1 Jr. Archers' quest for their first Final Four in six years.
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