Emotion shows for Jose Alvarado after Georgia Tech secures first ACC tournament title since 1993
![Portrait of Jace Evans](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2019/09/03/USAT/f9d87f57-5eb6-4a22-9372-0c46dafb72bd-evans_jace.jpg?crop=1956,1956,x0,y86&width=48&height=48&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
![](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/03/14/USAT/634034e1-76fd-4a5e-b646-3a7a6dd3ef7a-USATSI_15725094.jpg?crop=3898,2193,x0,y0&width=660&height=372&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
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 β they're heading to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 11 years β 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.