IN the case of Kevin Alas, father knows best.
The NLEX guard has so far endured two ACL injuries in his young PBA career, a challenging experience in which his dad, Phoenix coach Louie Alas, served as the biggest driving force.
The veteran coach may not have played in the pro league, but like Kevin, the elder Alas likewise suffered an ACL injury twice during his playing career.
"Ang dami kong natutunan from my dad kung paano i-handle yung sitwasyon," admitted Kevin. "Very tough for me kasi dalawang ACL in less than a year."
"To be honest ang hirap. But nandiyan yung dad ko na always nag-a-advice sa akin. Kumbaga one of the best persons na makakapag-bigay ng advice is yung dad ko kasi talagang na-experience niya yun."
Sponsored content:
Coach Louie, who was once drafted by Purefoods but never got to pursue a PBA career after going down with an ACL, said it's more on the mental side which he tried to impart on his son.
"Small things lang na very essential. Kasi alam ko kahit ikaw na yung pinaka-tough na player tapos na-injured ka at na-experience mo yung mga ganyan na pagkakataon, mada-down ka, e," said the champion mentor.
The elder Alas said that Kevin is still fortunate enough since today's advance technology makes recovery from ACL injury faster compared to the time when he was still playing in the late 80s.
Kevin also had the support of his parents and other loved ones, who are always beside him.
"Ako nung na-injury, malayo ako sa mga magulang ko," recalled the 56-year-old mentor from Unisan, Quezon.
Sponsored content:
"Kaya more on mindset ang pinapasok ko sa kanya kasi yung ganyang injury pinaka-importanteng bagay diyan kung paano mo ilalagay sa isip mo yung toughness mo."
Kevin has already recovered fully well from his second ACL injury and managed to suit up for the Road Warriors at the tail end of their campaign in the last Governors' Cup.
The NLEX playmaker is now using the long break owing to the COVID-19 pandemic to further strengthen his knees. (RG)
