Road Warriors try to force Game 7 sans ACL-riddled Alas

Game Wednesday (Smart Araneta Coliseum)

7 p.m. – Magnolia vs NLEX

MANILA, Philippines – Kevin Alas is out of the series due, and the Magnolia Hotshots have one less key NLEX player to worry about as they try to close out their Final Four faceoff with the Road Warriors in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Tuesday.

Alas was diagnosed with a complete ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tear — the same injury that sidelined Magnolia forward Marc Pingris a few days back. The six-foot guard will undergo surgery either Thursday or Friday, and he’ll be out for at least eight months.

The former Letran ace went down with the injury just 40 seconds into Game Five, and his ouster evidently took its toll on NLEX’s game later in the match, allowing Magnolia to pull off an 87-78 win for the 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Alas averaged 11.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in the elims, and 9.8 points, 6.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists in the semis before his downfall.

A win by the Hotshots in Game Six set at 7 p.m. will arrange a first title playoff between San Miguel and Magnolia in 18 years. A deciding Game Seven, if necessary, is Thursday also at the Big Dome.

The Road Warriors have not lost hope, promising to play for Alas as they continue their quest for a first finals appearance.

“We will definitely miss Kevin. He is, after all, a key player in our rotation. But while this will disrupt our plans, it will not stop nor discourage us from our purpose of making our first finals appearance,” said NLEX coach Yeng Guiao.

“A time like this is an opportunity for others to step up. Knowing my players, they can and they will. So even if others may think this situation will diminish our resolve, the truth is it will only strengthen it,” Guiao also said.

 Magnolia coach Chito Victolero and his troops are not looking beyond the Final Four yet.

“We need four wins to go to the finals. We have to maintain (what we did in Game Five), be consistent on our effort, be consistent on our focus and our mental toughness. We have an advantage now but the series is not over,” said Victolero.

“NLEX will not just give up. They will fight even harder, and we have to be ready,” said Paul Lee.

Not lost on Victolero’s memory was being in the same situation in this tournament last season versus Barangay Ginebra, and ending up vanquished.

“The same scenario with a 3-2 lead. I should remind the team,” said Victolero.

But the Hotshots definitely will have a clear advantage now in matchups on the exit of Alas.

“Kevin is an integral part of the team and our system. He’s a big loss,” said Kiefer Ravena.

Without Alas, Guiao’s only other options at the point guard outside of Ravena are Juami Tiongson and Emman Monfort.

Meanwhile, Lee, Mark Barroca and Jio Jalalon form Magnolia’s solid rotation.

Guiao, however, has not lost hope, drawing inspiration on their tough stand Sunday.

“Dikdikan naman kahit wala si Kevin (It was a gut-wrenching battle even without Kevin). We put up a goof fight all the way to the fourth quarter,” said Guiao, ruing bad calls killed them in the end.

Guiao and his staff planned to visit the PBA office after practice yesterday.

“We will talk to the commissioner and the technical committee. I think they have to review all the bad calls that cost us the game. We have to review because we’re going to Game Six or there might be even a Game Seven, we don’t want bad calls to decide the series,” said Guiao.