Athlete

Kieffer Alas Is A Rising Star with Eyes on the United States

At just 17 years old, Kieffer Alas is making waves in the Philippine high school basketball scene. The De La Salle Zobel standout is showcasing his all-around game in the UAAP Season 87 high school division, averaging an impressive 19 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1 steal per contest while shooting 39% from the field so far.

Despite his team’s 2-3 record, Alas has been a bright spot, recently leading Zobel to a statement win against defending champion Adamson.

But while the present is promising, the future may hold even greater opportunities for the young star — including the possibility of taking his talents to the United States.

Eyes on the American Dream

Alas, the son of veteran coach Louie Alas, has already drawn attention from overseas programs. Sources tell ALL-STAR Magazine that he had an opportunity to train and scrimmage in the U.S. last year but opted to stay home to focus on his development and his role with Gilas Youth. However, 2025 could be the year he makes the move, potentially heading to Florida to compete in the highly competitive AAU circuit.

While he remains noncommittal about the decision, the young guard acknowledges that playing in the U.S. is something he has considered deeply.

“I’m not going to jinx it, but that’s the goal,” Alas shared in an exclusive interview.

For now, he’s following the advice of his father, who encourages him to focus on the present.

“Actually, I do that every day,” he admitted when asked if he envisions playing in the U.S. “But my dad tells me not to do it, just to focus on the present, so that’s what.”

His parents, including mom Liza, have kept him grounded, reminding him to stay locked in on the now rather than get lost in dreams of the future.

“’Yon lang, they try to advise me to focus not on the future, just the present,” he said. “Then to stay grounded, focus on the next game.”

The Growth of Alas as a Star

Alas is already proving to be a force in Philippine high school basketball, but he knows there’s still room to grow –especially if he hopes to thrive in an ultra-competitive environment like the U.S.

“Probably my three-point shooting off the move,” the Nike athlete said when asked about areas of improvement. “Because my catch-and-shoot’s okay, I just need to work on the move.”

That kind of refinement could be key to his development, as playing in the U.S. would mean facing stronger, bigger, and faster opponents on a daily basis.

“I mean, I think it can make me improve, because [there’s] better competition, bigger players, so it’s going to challenge me even more,” Alas said.

So does he believe he can succeed in that setting?

“Yes, of course,” he answered confidently. “It’s all about confidence naman eh, so I think I can do it. I can do it.”

The Immediate Goal

While his long-term future remains an open question, one thing is clear: Alas is locked in on his current mission — to bring De La Salle Zobel back to the Final Four.

“The goal is to bring Zobel back in the Final Four,” he stated with conviction.

With his versatile skill set, strong work ethic, and unwavering confidence, Alas is proving to be one of the most promising young players in the country. Whether or not he takes his talents to the United States in the near future, one thing is certain — his basketball journey is only just beginning.