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Tag: Ateneo Blue Eagles

  • Kieffer Alas ends high school chapter with gratitude and gears up for collegiate journey

    Kieffer Alas ends high school chapter with gratitude and gears up for collegiate journey

    Kieffer Alas is turning the page on an unforgettable chapter of his basketball journey, and he’s doing it with gratitude. 


    In a heartfelt social media post, the former UAAP Boys’ MVP expressed his appreciation for the opportunities, heartbreaks, and lessons that shaped him both on and off the court during his high school career.

     

    Reflecting on this new chapter, Alas said on his social media post, “Bittersweet, but I’m beyond thankful. This is just the beginning.”

     

    Since 2023, Alas has been a fixture in the National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) All-Star games, showcasing his talent as one of the Philippines’ brightest young players. Now, at 18, he takes the next step in his career by committing to the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, starting Season 89.

     

    This move marks another milestone in a trailblazing journey. Alas became the first and only four-time NBTC All-Star, surpassing Kai Sotto’s three-time recognition, cementing his status as one of the most decorated young players in the country.

     

    Alas’ recent performances highlight his growth. In the National Finals with Phenom NZ Blue Fire, he dropped 30 points in their 87-78 victory over Urbana Studios x San Beda, further proving his ability to shine under pressure. 

     

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    Before returning to the Philippines, Alas explored opportunities in the United States. He initially joined Layton Christian Academy in Utah, aiming for a Division I spot in the NCAA, before transferring to Utah Prep Academy under the guidance of former TNT Tropang Giga mentor Mark Dickel. 

     

    He made an instant impression, scoring 34 points with 10 three-pointers in his first game, and continued to excel through graduation. Despite his success, a high-profile college offer in the US remained elusive.

     

    Choosing to return home was deliberate, not a fallback. 

     

    “I contemplated the decision with my family. My main dream is to play pro,” Alas shared during a media gathering organized by VP Global Management. 

     

    “In Ateneo, there’s more opportunity, more playing time for my growth as a player and as a person,” the soon to be Blue Eagles player said. 

     

    The decision also provides a familiar environment. With his father, former PBA coach Louie Alas, on Tab Baldwin’s staff and the chance to reunite with high school teammates like Wakee Espina and Jared Bahay, a transition promises continuity both on and off the court.

     

    For Kieffer Alas, the journey from Utah back to Manila isn’t a step backward — it’s a move toward growth, opportunity, and a promising future in Philippine basketball.

     

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  • Gilas Pilipinas Boys standout Kieffer Alas chooses Ateneo over US NCAA schools 

    Gilas Pilipinas Boys standout Kieffer Alas chooses Ateneo over US NCAA schools 

    From his stint at Utah Prep Academy, the 18-year-old made a choice that instantly reshaped the college basketball landscape. He is returning to the Philippines — but not to the familiar green. Instead, Alas will suit up in blue after committing to Ateneo de Manila University.

     

    The 6-foot-2 guard announced his decision through Instagram, posting a photo of himself in an Ateneo jersey with a caption, “Homecoming.”

     

    Alongside it was a reflective message, “A big lesson I learned this year is that a person’s capacity for growth is directly linked to how much truth they can face about themselves without running away.”

     

    Behind the announcement was a decision shaped not just by opportunity, but by connection. Alas revealed he chose Ateneo over other UAAP programs and several NCAA Division II schools largely because of one figure, Tab Baldwin. 

     

    “Coach Tab visited me multiple times here in the US, and I could tell he was really interested in me. They laid out their plan for me, what I could do in the future, and how they saw me as a big part of their program,” Alas said.

     

    Throughout his year abroad, Baldwin consistently kept the communication on him, maintaining communication and reinforcing the idea that development is as much about character as it is about skill.

     

    “That was the main thing for me — the management and especially Coach Tab putting in the effort just to visit me here multiple times,” the 18-year-old guard said.

     

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    For the youngest member of the well-known Alas family, growth has never been in short supply. Before heading overseas, Alas starred for De La Salle Santiago Zobel School and carried the fight for Gilas Pilipinas Boys. 

     

    In the FIBA Under-16 Asian Championship, he averaged 15.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists, earning a spot on the All-Star Five and steering the Philippines to a berth in the Under-17 World Cup. 

     

    An injury later denied him the chance to play on that global stage, a setback that became fuel rather than frustration.

     

    His Grade 11 campaign with the Junior Archers turned into a redemption tour, sharpening his versatility as a two-way guard capable of scoring, rebounding, and facilitating. Now, that skill set arrives at a program hungry to restore its standard.

     

    Ateneo is in the midst of retooling after finishing sixth (6-8) in UAAP Season 88, extending a semifinals drought that has lingered uncomfortably to the Blue Eagles. 

     

    The Katipunan-based team has already added players like Davaoeño Rene Baterbonia and Cebuano Jelomar Rota.

     

    For a player who has already faced the sting of injury, the grind of overseas competition, and the pressure of national expectations, choosing Ateneo is less about switching colors and more about embracing a new chapter.

     

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  • UST looks to rebound against Ateneo, La Salle eyes third straight win on Wednesday UAAP volleyball clash 

    UST looks to rebound against Ateneo, La Salle eyes third straight win on Wednesday UAAP volleyball clash 

    The UAAP Season 88 women’s volleyball action heats up this Wednesday as the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses face off against the Ateneo Lady Eagles.

     

     While De La Salle University looks to extend its winning streak against the University of the Philippines.

     

    UST is coming off a tough 3-set defeat to the La Salle Lady Spikers, falling 25-14, 25-15, 26-24. Despite the setback, the Golden Tigresses are determined to regroup and secure their first win of the first round. 

     

    Angge Poyos emerged as a standout performer in the match against La Salle, delivering consecutive cross-court spikes and a clutch service ace that kept UST alive late in the third set. 

     

    Xyza Gula also made significant contributions, showcasing her versatility and court awareness.

     

    Hoping that the team could bounce back and have their first win against the Lady Eagles, a team who also aims to have their first win in the season after losing in their previous game against UP (17-25, 19-25, 25-22, 25-23, 16-14). 

     

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    For the 3pm headliner game, DLSU takes on the University of the Philippines who are fresh off a five-setter victory over the Ateneo Lady Eagles, and are looking to sustain their strong start to the UAAP season with two consecutive wins. 

     

    The Diliman-based squad was led by Nina Ytang and Fina Ali who scored 15 points and 13 points respectively for the Fighting Maroons. 

     

    Captain Shevana Laput leveraged her height to dominate at the net, scoring consecutive points that sealed a 3-0 victory for the Lady Spikers. Laput led her team’s charge alongside Angel Canino, while rookie Eshana Nunag stood out as the player of the game with 16 excellent sets and three points, signaling a promising start to her collegiate career.

     

    With the upcoming UAAP weekend showdowns, La Salle enters with a 2-0 record, behind National University (3-0) and the University of the Philippines (2-0) at the top of the standings. The Lady Spikers are expected to carry their momentum into their next game against UP, aiming for a third consecutive victory.

     

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