Gilas Pilipinas U17 star Kieffer Alas. Handout Photo/Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas.

MANILA — Kieffer Alas will miss Gilas Pilipinas' campaign in the 2024 FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup.

The Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas announced on Friday that the 6-foot-2 young star suffered an injury during the Nationals' tune-up game against Canada, with Alas spraining his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

"On initial examination by our team doctor, he had a functionally stable knee and the official result of his MRI determined Kieffer has a sprained ACL," said team head coach Josh Reyes in a statement.

"His knee is swollen and he'll be out for three weeks. We will be monitoring his situation closely," he added of Kieffer, whom they said also missed a previous tuneup against Egypt due to a stomach illness.

"It was unfortunate because we were playing really well against Canada in the first half. Against Egypt, we struggled and we didn't have Kieffer so it was important for us to find another tune-up game to give him a chance to play. Kieffer was doing a great job in playmaking, rebounding, and playing defense and this is his value to the squad, more than his scoring."

"We were playing really good basketball at that point. We used our new sets, played good defense, and rebounded well against a team with four players taller than 6-foot-8. It really felt that the teams started believing we could compete at this level," 

"We still led by two at the end of the second quarter and only played until the third. It's a tough break for us but the rest of the team is motivated to play together. We're praying for good results on Kieffer's MRI but we have to move forward and quickly figure out how to play without him," Reyes continued.

Hours later, Ateneo de Manila University deputy coach Louie Alas gave an update on his son's injury.

"The family has been receiving a lot of concerned inquiries on Kieffer so we decided to just release one statement," the former Colegio de San Juan de Letran tactician said in a social media post.

"Yes, Kieffer sprained his left knee during the tune-up game against Canada. Thus, with a heavy heart, Kieffer will miss the U17 FIBA World Cup. We praise God that his ACL remained intact and strong."

READ: Kevin Alas suffers third ACL injury of career

"Kieffer will continue to recover and strengthen his knee in order to be back stronger than ever," Coach Louie added.

Meanwhile, taking the place of Alas in Gilas' U17 lineup is Champ Arejola. 

They will start their campaign later against Lithuania at 5:30 p.m., and they will be facing Spain tomorrow at 10:30 p.m., and Puerto Rico on Tuesday at 8:00 p.m.

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