FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT: Aldeguer, Zobel rally behind Alas’ overseas stint

De La Salle Santiago Zobel (DLSZ) rallies behind Kieffer Alas, wishing him well as he embarks on a new journey of training in Australia and competing in the United States.

Junior Archers coach Boris Aldeguer said he believes that the 17-year-old playmaker will thrive against bigger, more competitive foes outside the country.

Alas pulled off a stunner when he decided to go to Perth in Australia for competitive training before enrolling at Layton Christian Academy in Utah to play high school ball. He left behind the DLSZ, which served as his home for the past four years in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

But his former coach, Aldeguer, is hardly worried.

“I’ve known Kieffer for almost four years so I saw how he developed, how he started and how he got to where he is right now. He’s a hardworking, very dedicated, and focused player,” Aldeguer, the older brother of De La Salle University legend Dino Aldeguer, said.

“Everything he learned during his stay with Zobel will be a big boost for his next step in his basketball career. He’s very goal-oriented. I know he’s going to double his effort in achieving what he wants next.”

The Gilas Pilipinas Youth star is set to leave for Perth this Saturday to train with National Basketball League 1 West side Warwick Senators before going to the United States to join Layton Christian Academy.

Alas, however, has yet to plot his college plans although a handful of UAAP schools like Ateneo de Manila University, University of the Philippines and La Salle are expected to show interest should he decide to go home and play locally.

But if an offer from a topnotch Division I program comes his way, Alas is expected to stay in the US to pursue his basketball dream.

The 50-year-old Aldeguer wants the top high school player of the National Basketball Training Center ranking to continue working hard regardless of where he plays.

“Well, I think the only thing that I could tell Kieffer was to do his own thing. Stay focused and keep working hard regardless of where he is,” Aldeguer said, assuring Alas that they will support him wherever he goes.

“We’re just going to be here at his back. He’ll be carrying Zobel wherever he goes. Once a Junior Archer, he’ll always be a Junior Archer.”

Alas may have failed to lead DLSZ to a Final Four stint, but he will be walking away as a winner.

In fact, he posted solid averages of 20.07 points, 11.14 rebounds, 4.93 assists, and 1.07 steals in his final year in the UAAP, enough to secure the Season 87 Most Valuable Player (MVP) plum and a spot in the Mythical Team.

With that, he became the first Junior Archer to win the MVP since Aljun Melecio in 2016.

Aldeguer said now that Alas is gone, and JC Espinosa, Geof Lopez and Paul Reguerra no longer returning, they have to bank on the core of Season 87 like Bonn Daja, Maco Dabao, Christian Mben and Champ Arejola.

“Mostly, the core will still be there,” said Aldeguer, who is looking to snap their 10-year Final Four drought.

“I know it’s going to be hard, but hopefully these guys can step up.”