New challenge beckons De La Salle Santiago Zobel star Kieffer Alas shortly after winning the Most Valuable Player award in Season 87 University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) juniors’ basketball tournament last week.

The 18-year-old playmaker stressed his readiness to lead Phenom Blue Fire to the title when they compete in the National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) National Finals and All-Star Game at the Mall of Asia Arena next month.

From being a No. 2 star last year, Alas has soared as the top high school player in the NBTC ranking, giving him an added fuel to deliver an inspired performance before embarking on a grueling training in Australia and, hopefully, a stint in the United States.

“Coming off a positive stint in the UAAP, I hope I can bring that here and help with the NBTC championship,” said Alas, who will be flying to Australia this April for a training camp.

‘At least now I get the chance to compete against him.’

“I’m just grateful that I have the opportunity, as Rank No. 1, so I can inspire younger kids.”

Alas has been phenomenal in UAAP Season 87, dropping 20.1 points, 11.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.1 steals despite DLSZ missing out on the Final Four with a 6-8 win-loss record.

The son of veteran coach Louie Alas and the younger brother of NLEX guard Kevin Alas is also the first Junior Archer to clinch the UAAP juniors MVP plum since Aljun Melecio back in 2016.

Alas also couldn’t wait to face off against Lebron Jhames Daep of University of Perpetual Help System Dalta for the NBTC All-Star Game.

The 6-foot-7 Daep is this year’s No. 2 basketball player in the NBTC rankings and is helping the Junior Altas in their campaign in Season 100 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association juniors basketball tournament.

Actually, I wanted to be teammates with him because our schools are almost beside each other — La Salle Zobel and Perpetual,” Alas said.

“At least now I get the chance to compete against him.”