Huge blow for NLEX as Alas suffers ACL injury

Kevin Alas will be out for a maximum of eight months or basically the rest of the season. PBA Media Bureau (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--The bad became worse for NLEX as the team will miss the services of Kevin Alas in the rest of the PBA Philippine Cup playoffs and even the entire season.

Tests on Monday confirmed that Alas suffered an ACL tear during Game 5 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals between the Road Warriors and the Hotshots at the Ynares Center in Antipolo on Sunday night.

Alas hurt his right knee just 40 seconds to the match, and his absence was felt by NLEX as it fell, 78-87, to Magnolia.

[Related Story: Magnolia now at cusp of finals return with semis Game 5 win vs NLEX]

"Biglaan yung nangyari kaya nakakawala ng diskarte," said Coach Yeng Guiao on Alas' injury.

Interestingly, it was the same injury Hotshot Marc Pingris suffered late in Game 1 of the series that the Road Warriors won.

[Related Story: Ravena delivers key plays as NLEX steals semis Game 1 from Magnolia]

However, with them now at the brink of elimination, Guiao will now have to look for someone to step up in Game 6 of the series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno