Emotion shows for Jose Alvarado after Georgia Tech secures first ACC tournament title since 1993
Georgia Tech won its first ACC tournament title since 1993 by knocking off No. 13 Florida State 80-75 Saturday night in the final.
At the heart of the action, like he is for almost every Georgia Tech game, was senior guard Jose Alvarado. The Yellow Jackets’ 6-foot sparkplug was all over the place against the Seminoles, recording 13 points and a team-high five steals for an active Georgia Tech defense that had 15 steals and forced 25 turnovers.
Following the Yellow Jackets’ breakthrough win — they’re heading to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 11 years — in their fifth season under coach Josh Pastner, Alvarado let his emotions show.
“This is why I worked my butt off. A lot of people doubted me, I wasn’t supposed to be in the ACC, (Pastner) took a chance on me. And my teammates man, how good are they man,” Alvarado said during his postgame interview on ESPN.
“This is like a dream come true and I’m proud of my guys. I love this win. This is going to last me a lifetime.”
Alvarado is a two-time All-ACC performer and was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year this season. In his fourth season, all spent primarily as a starter, he’s averaged 13.5 points per game and 2.1 steals.
Now, he leads Georgia Tech into the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2010.
“I’m so happy I get a chance to tell (my family) I’m a champion and bring a trophy home to Georgia Tech,” said Alvarado, whose daughter and father were in the stands.
Among those who were moved by Alvarado’s words: Dwyane Wade. “The passion. I love it!!” the NBA legend tweeted.
