Romeo Braceros Jr.

This time, young Kieffer Alas successfully captured Singapore.

Alas, now representing his country as a local, led Elite Philippines to victory over BKK Rookies of Thailand at the United World College over the weekend, winning the U15 Asia Pacific Cup final 100-48.

The 6-foot-2 incoming freshman guard from La Salle Greenhills showed that he was head and shoulders above the others in the tournament as he led the Philippine team coached by Mark Herrera to victory with an all-around performance of 25 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists, and seven steals.

Alas, then 15 years old, participated in the same competition three years prior as an import for the U13 Indo Muda team.

However, the Indonesian baseball team was unable to advance to the postseason.

A diverse group of Filipinos, including his parents, Liza and Louie Alas, cheered on the young cager as he produced for the Philippine team, but this time there was no denying Alas.

The division had 15 teams split into three groups of five teams each.

Following eliminations, the best No. 2 team joined the top three teams from each group in the semifinals.

Elite Philippines won pool B, Pool C belonged to Pinoy Youth Dreamers, and Pool A belonged to BKK Rookies.

The host nation's Titans U15 team won the right to play in the fourth semifinal spot.

Elite defeated Titans by a score of 97-28 in the semifinals, and BKK Rookies defeated Pinoy Youth Dreamers by a score of 48-37 to prevent what may have been all-Filipino finals.

However, Pinoy Youth Dreamers upset Titans 52-39 to secure third place.