D-DAY BECKONS: Alas nears graduation, braces for next stage

What’s next for Kieffer Alas?

Alas, the hottest Filipino high school player, is set to wrap up his short — but memorable — stint at Utah Prep Academy on 30 April, putting him closer to his much-awaited decision on where he will play college ball.

His father, Louie Alas, told DAILY TRIBUNE that his son has been getting quite a handful of offers from mid-major Division I schools in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) but all of his options are open at this point, including a possible return to the country to play in Season 89 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

Multiple reports have it that at least three UAAP schools have expressed their intention to tap the 20-year-old phenom.

De La Salle University is said to be very much interested following the departure of veteran playmaker Kean Baclaan. After all, Alas had a successful high school campaign at De La Salle Zobel, where he made history as the first player to emerge as Most Valuable Player despite failing to lead his team to the Final Four.

University of the Philippines and Ateneo de Manila University are also in the running.

The Fighting Maroons have already expressed intention to hand him the keys to their backcourt while the Blue Eagles are also recruiting him with an ultimate goal of reuniting him with his father, Louie, who serves as one of Tab Baldwin’s deputies.

In fact, Baldwin and Ateneo team manager Epok Quimpo even flew to Las Vegas a few months ago to see the younger Alas in action, giving him an idea on their level of interest in his talent.

Still, Louie said no decision will be made until his son formally receives his high school diploma.

“No decision yet,” said the elder Alas, stressing that his youngest son will be the one who will decide where to play in college.

“All options are on the table. He can go to the UAAP or stay here in the United States. So far, we haven’t discussed anything yet as he is still carefully weighing down all of his options. He’ll make a decision after his graduation in April.”

Louie said his son will be flying to Manila in the second week of March to see action for Phenom Elite in the National Basketball Training Center.

“After that, things may be clearer,” the elder Alas, a former Philippine Basketball Association head coach, said.

Alas has been making a lot of heads turn in the United States.

After a forgettable stint at Layton Christian Academy, the rising star transferred to Utah Prep Academy to play for coach Mark Dickel, who saw action for Baldwin at the New Zealand national team before briefly coaching TNT Tropang 5G and Gilas Pilipinas in 2020.

In his first game for Utah Prep, Alas immediately made his presence felt as he erupted for 34 points laced with 10 three-pointers to set the tone for a solid high school career. Although there were some setbacks like injuries, the youngster will still be leaving the school with a grateful heart.

“Staying here at Utah Prep was one of the biggest blessings I’ve had this year. I mean, it’s been great although earlier this year, I had a lot of setbacks. But coming here, you get a lot of opportunities,” Alas said, adding that playing against the best high school players from around the world truly boosted his confidence.

“You get to face the top 50 players almost every day here, so that’s just going to be a big help wherever I go — whether it be in the Philippines or continuing my road here.”

Alas said his main goal is to make it to an elite Division 1 school.

“I mean, that was the main reason why I went here, just mainly because of the thought that it would be a zero percent chance of making it to Division I if I don’t go here. But at least if I come here, I give myself the opportunity to show myself in front of these coaches,” Alas said.

If that happens, the younger brother of NLEX guard Kevin Alas could join the likes of Japeth Aguilar (Western Kentucky), Gabe Norwood (George Mason), Dwight Ramos (Cal State Fullerton) and Kobe Paras (Creighton) as the only Filipino basketball players to play in the highest tier of collegiate basketball in the United States.