Top HS prospects Alas, Daep inspire more young hoop hopefuls in NBTC

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Kieffer Alas and Lebron Jhames Daep, the top two high school basketball players in the national 19-under rankings, headline the NBTC All-Star

MANILA, Philippines – Top two high school prospects Kieffer Alas and Lebron Jhames Daep hope to inspire the next batch of young basketball players as they headline the National Basketball Training Center (NBTC) All-Star game during the league’s National Finals week from March 31 to April 6 at the Mall of Asia Arena. 

Alas of the La Salle Zobel Junior Archers was named the No. 1 high school player in the NBTC rankings this year, while Daep of the Perpetual Junior Altas took the No. 2 spot.

“I’m just grateful that I have the opportunity, as the ranked No.1 player, to inspire younger kids,” said Alas, who is coming off an MVP season in the UAAP Season 87 junior ranks. 

Alas has been a household name in high school basketball, making his name with La Salle in the junior ranks to continue the basketball lineage started by his father Louie Alas, who is now an assistant coach for the Ateneo Blue Eagles, and his brother and PBA player Kevin Alas.

Just like Alas, Daep hopes to be a model for budding high school stars in the tournament that includes regional champions from all over the Philippines.  

“I’m blessed that I’m here, and I get to have this opportunity. It is important for me to get exposure, help the younger ones, and inspire them,” Daep, son of former PBA player Rommel Daep, said in Filipino. 

Alas fell short of steering the Junior Archers to a Final Four appearance in Season 87, while Daep is in the middle of the NCAA Season 100 junior basketball tournament, where the Junior Altas booked the first semifinal ticket. 

The two players will be choosing their squad among the top 24 high school and under-19 players ranked by NBTC in the league’s All-Star game. 

Aside from Alas and Daep, the list’s top five players included FEU’s Wilhalm Cabonillas, Adamson’s Mark Esperanza, and UST’s Koji Buenaflor. 

A total of 32 teams, consisting of winning teams of regional tournaments and some international squads, will vie for the title of the national 19-under competition.

UAAP champion UST Tiger Cubs and runner-up NU Bullpups, defending NCAA champion Letran Squires, and perennial contender FEU Baby Tamaraws lead the pack which also includes 16 regional qualifiers and 10 global teams, headlined by defending NBTC Division 1 champion Fil-Am Nation Select and Division 2 titlist Top Flight Hoops Canada. 

Winners of the first round will advance to the Division 1 brackets, while losing squads will be relegated to Division 2. Subsequently, the knockout rounds will kick off on Wednesday, April 2, and run until Friday, April 4.

The NBTC championship games are slated Sunday, April 6, for both divisions. – Rappler.com