Kevin Alas says he's "100 percent" OK now after return to play

Kevin Alas swung back into action after an ACL injury in a late Christmas tune-up against TNT. Mike Romero (file photo)

By Ivan Saldajeno

QUEZON CITY--After seeing his Philippine Basketball Association season halted abruptly with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, Kevin Alas finally set foot again on the hardwood, although in a tune-up between NLEX and TNT at the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center within the Ateneo High School grounds on Saturday.

"Partly weird, but I'm happy I'm playing again," Alas told Dugout Philippines after the preseason game won by the Road Warriors, 95-90.

But just like someone returning from a major layoff, it was not a good start for the star combo guard.

"Parang yung unang jump shot ko, na-airball yata," Alas bared.

But good thing for him, he has Coach Yeng Guiao to pep him up.

"Then parang sabi ni Coach Yeng, 'OK lang yan.' Then I made my next shot," Alas, who eventually finished with 11 points, continued. "I'm happy na binibigyan nya ako ng opportunity para makuha ko yung rhythm ko."

So how is his knee now?

"It's very OK na. One hundred percent na," Alas replied.

It's now just about getting back to game shape.

"Ang goal ko is to play as much five-on-five games before an official game in the PBA, so swerte kung doon ko makukuha yung rhythm ko," he further said.

Alas has two more weeks to achieve the goal before NLEX jumps back into action in the 2019 Philippine Cup starting on Jan. 13.

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