NLEX Road Warriors’ Kevin Alas who made his on-court return to the PBA in their 104-85 win against the TerraFirma Dyip, December 3, 2024, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila. Photo from PBA Images.MANILA — NLEX Road Warriors star guard Kevin Alas has finally made his on-court return to the PBA.

Over a year after dealing with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear — his third injury of the same kind in his career — Alas suited up for NLEX in their 104-85 victory over TerraFirma Dyip on Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

“Little by little lang, but I’m grateful na nakabalik na ako kasi more than one year from my last game eh,” said the 6-foot-1 ace, who appeared for 10:30 minutes and contributed two points.

It was on November 18, 2023, wherein he got the ACL tear, and coincidentally, it was also against the Dyip.

“‘Di naman ako namili,” said the former Colegio de San Juan de Letran mainstay, who previously suffered his setback at the Ynares Center in Antipolo — the venue where he, unfortunately, met the same fate thrice.  

“Nagkataon na same team, then tomorrow is one year ko from my surgery. Yun talaga yung hinahabol naming protocol, na maka one year ako before I play. It just so happened na TerraFirma ulit,” he continued.

Alas expressed gratitude as well that he was able to overcome yet another major obstacle in his career, but he knows that it will take some time for him to return to his usual form.

“Grateful na nakabalik na ulit, pero wala pa yung rhythm, timing, and hangin wala pa,” bared Kevin. “I was just waiting for the game to come. Good thing, nung pumasok ako medyo may lamang pa kami so wala pa masyadong pressure.”

“To be honest, kanina, it’s more of wala lang talaga akong hangin kaya I need to get more games para makuha ko yung rhythm ko. When it comes naman to jitters, by God’s grace, I've been very relaxed kanina.”

For Alas, the most important thing for now is to achieve tip-top game condition to maximize the talent that NLEX has.

“Sa practice, sa kahit anong pa-kondisyon ko, iba pa rin yung games. Minsan maka dalawang balik ka pa lang, pagod ka na eh,” he said.

And speaking about talent, no other than backcourt partner Robert Bolick is excited to share the floor with his fellow NCAA alum to take NLEX to greater heights.

“Galing din ako doon eh, so alam ko yung nararamdaman niya,” said the former San Beda University main man.

“So tama yung ginagawa ni coach na break-in lang muna siya. Matagal namin siyang inintay, and mataas yung expectations namin sa kanya, pero ‘di bale, si coach na ang bahala sa kanya,” he added.