FOLLOWING an impressive campaign in the UAAP Season 87 Boys’ Basketball Tournament, Kiefer Alas is taking a major step toward his NCAA Division I dream by committing to Layton Christian Academy (LCA) in Utah for his senior year.
Although he wasn’t able to lead the DLSZ Junior Archers to a Final Four berth, Alas’ talent stood out. He was named to the UAAP Boys’ Mythical Team twice and wrapped up Season 87 as the league’s Most Valuable Player.
Now, the rising guard is preparing to bring his game abroad, armed with lessons from the UAAP and La Salle’s disciplined program as he joins one of the U.S.’s premier prep basketball schools.
With his move to Utah set for August, the anticipation is building—especially for LCA head coach Casey Stanley, a seasoned tactician with over 15 years of NCAA Division I experience.
Asia’s Rising Star
Stanley shared that Alas will first undergo foundational training with the team to foster chemistry, then enter a demanding six-week training circuit starting in mid-September, which includes scrimmages and exhibition games.
The Eagles’ season officially begins in November and stretches into late February or early March. Stanley first noticed Alas through his strong play on the international level.
In the 2023 FIBA Asia Under-16 tournament, Alas averaged 15.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 2.6 assists, earning a spot in the All-Star Five. Although an ankle injury sidelined him from the 2024 FIBA U17 World Cup, Stanley had already seen enough to be impressed by his upside.
“He is such a big name in Asia and all over the world. When you’re in the space of high-level high school basketball and looking for guys to elevate your program, he’s obviously a name I was aware of,” Stanley told Tiebreaker Times.
“I have friends throughout Asia who tipped me off. They said, ‘Hey, this really talented kid is interested in coming to the States,’ and when I saw him, I knew he was a home run — he checks all the boxes,” he added.
Alas’ versatile performance—averaging 20.07 points, 11.14 rebounds, 4.93 assists, and 1.07 steals during his MVP UAAP season—convinced Stanley he could excel within LCA’s system.
“What’s great about Kieffer is his ability to dribble, pass, and shoot. The game is moving toward a more positionless style, and that’s where Kieffer fits right in. He has good size, can shoot, get to the rim, make the right pass, and defend,” Stanley said.
“He’ll thrive in our system. He’s one of the premier guards in his class coming over. He’s faced elite competition, played different styles — that’s what makes him really attractive. He’s a great fit for us,” he went on to say.
Chasing The Dream
Aware of what awaits him in the U.S., Alas is sharpening his skills by working out with the Warwick Senators, a semi-pro squad in Australia’s NBL1 West. Just one more reason Stanley thinks so highly of the kid.
“That’s a home run because it shows his willingness to adapt. The game is different in the Philippines, Australia, and the U.S. It speaks volumes about his courage to step out of his comfort zone, compete, and grow,” he said.
For Alas, becoming part of LCA is more than just leveling up his skills — it’s about pursuing a lifelong goal of landing an athletic scholarship and competing in NCAA Division I. Luckily, he’s exactly where he needs to be.
In the last three years, LCA has built a successful track record, sending 14 athletes to Division I programs, and Stanley sees daily competition against elite talent as key to Alas’ growth.
“We had four Division I kids last year, and I think some of the newcomers this year will be D1-bound too. We believe iron sharpens iron,” he said.
LCA is also known for competing against the top high school teams nationwide. In fact, last season they faced 13 Top-100 ranked teams in their first 16 games — gaining valuable experience against future NBA talent.
“Not only will he be showcased to college coaches across the country, but he’ll also be pushed to his limits. He’ll go up against future NBA and high-major college players,” Stanley explained.
However, Stanley stressed that the real battle won’t be away games — it will happen within the squad. A test that will prepare the whole team to compete against the nation’s elite schools.
“He’s going to be challenged every day in practice. That’s where it starts. We’re super competitive, and that environment will prepare him for what’s next,” he said.
With his UAAP roots, international exposure, and a top-tier support system backing him, the reigning UAAP MVP Alas is set to make the jump — pursuing his U.S. NCAA dream, one step at a time.
