MANILA, Philippines – Since star player Kevin Alas was discovered to have sustained an ACL tear an additional time, the National League East Road Warriors suffer from yet another important change to negotiate along with an obstacle to climb.

Kevin Alas has suffered his second injury of this type, leaving the traveling NLEX Road Warriors without his services beginning Wednesday against NorthPort Batang Pier at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Manila.

The extent of his knee injuries has been decreased, but Alas will need surgery in December, followed by a ten to twelve-week recuperation time. This injury will keep him out for the rest of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, where the Road Warriors are now 0-2 after losses to Terrafirma Dyip and Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, as well as a win over the defending champion San Miguel Beermen. NLEX will face enormous challenges in navigating the competition without Alas.

Despite losing Kevin Alas in the second quarter, Frankie Lim’s squad showed perseverance and fought courageously against Terrafirma, eventually losing by a tight margin of 113 to 112. The game demonstrated the team’s competitive spirit, especially in the face of obstacles.

In the next weeks, Phoenix Super LPG will meet NorthPort, a squad that is coming off an overtime loss after a promising 2 to 0 start to the season. The NorthPort squad, coached by coach Boni Tan and anchored by acquisition Venkatesha Joi, has had a mixed bag of results in recent games, winning against Rain or Shine but losing to Magnolia.

The forthcoming match is critical for both teams, as NorthPort looks to rebound from recent disappointments and Phoenix Super LPG looks to retain its good standings. The Fuel Masters are currently locked in a four-team tie with Dyip and Meralco Bolts at 2 to 1, trailing the unbeaten Magnolia Hotshots at 4 to 0. The drive to quickly turn things around and win highlights the competitive nature of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.