Kevin Alas came up big in crunchtime as NLEX spoiled a huge 53-point outing from Jamaal Franklin to stun Converge in the 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Saturday, Feb. 18.
Alas showed nerves of steel and pulled off the biggest plays down the stretch, first forcing a turnover on Franklin on the defensive end before drilling a dagger triple to help the Road Warriors snap a two-game slide for a 5-2 record in the standings.
The veteran playmaker exploded for a season-high 31 points – 18 of which came in the final frame including two crucial free throws that also kept an erstwhile streaking FiberXers at bay, who for the most part rode on the hot hands of Franklin.
The former NBA player's game, however, perfectly summarized the night for the FiberXers as despite the monster scoring night that went along with 11 rebounds and a franchise-tying nine triples, committed 12 turnovers in the process.
As a team, Converge threw the ball away 31 times, with Franklin committing the most turnovers in a game by an import in 26 years and first of any player since Converge assistant Danny Ildefonso committed 12 in SMB’s win over Popcola in 2001.
NLEX head coach Frankie Lim lauded his wards for the gutsy stand despite dealing with injuries that sidelined the likes of Matt Nieto, Mike Miranda and Sean Anthony.
“Ibang level of effort yung pinakita nila buti na lang meron kaming Kevin Alas and malaking bagay yung nagkulang yung players ko because of injuries pati yung rotation ko nasira. I have to stretch everything. Talagang walang labasan si Wayne naawa na nga ako pero sabi ko just finish the game,” said Lim.
Import Wayne Selden Jr. finally picked up his first win in the PBA after contributing 35 points, seven rebounds and six assists while Kris Rosales and Anthony Semerad provided a huge lift with 17 and 16 markers, respectively.
NLEX actually trailed by as many as 12 points in the opening quarter but managed to keep itself close to Converge by taking full advantage of the errors done by the FiberXers. With Selden huffing and puffing in the final frame after playing extended minutes, Alas took over and gave NLEX a 113-109 lead.
Franklin, though, answered back with a booming triple that cut the deficit down to just one but Alas and Selden were steady on the foul line in waning seconds to seal the deal.