ROOKIE RK Ilagan lived out a dream by almost every player by sinking the game-winner in Alaska's 94-93 thriller over Meralco Saturday in the PBA Governors' Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
With only 4.7 seconds left on the clock, Ilagan feinted to the left before crossing over to the right to gain separation from Bong Quinto and pulled up for the 17-foot jumper that went in just as the final buzzer sounded, capping his endgame heroics.
It was just as Ilagan had tirelessly worked on in practice, prompting coach Jeff Cariaso to go to the former San Sebastian standout for their final thrust.
"I think when you work as hard as RK does and you put in the work as hard as RK does you deserve the opportunity," said Cariaso of the 5-8 guard who became chiefly responsible for halting Meralco's two-game winning streak and dropping it to a 6-2 slate.
"That's the shot RK works on in practices everyday so I didn't have a problem with him taking that shot. I knew he going to be able to put up a shot around the free throw line area, if not a little higher," added Cariaso.
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"So good for him. I'm happy and proud of him."
The Aces were amply rewarded as a result as the win jacked their record to 6-3 and clinched for them one of the eight quarterfinal seats. They could even claim a top four finish should they prevail over Phoenix Super LPG and Magnolia Ang Pambansang Manok in their last two elimination round games.
Ilagan finished with a career-high 11 points, complementing the 21 points each by Mike Digregorio and Olu Ashaolu and practically saving Alaska from collapse after the latter got ejected with still 6:18 left in the game for committing an F1 against Cliff Hodge. The Nigerian-Canadian was hit with a technical earlier.
The Aces actually led by as much as 76-59, late in the third quarter before seeing the Allein Maliksi-led Bolts come charging back.
Maliksi fouled out with still 7:31 left in the game, but not after scoring 32 points with 24 of those coming in the second half that brought Meralco within 81-82.
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With Alaska missing its first 10 shots and committing four turnovers in the final frame, Meralco even took an 89-83 lead before Ilagan scored on back-to-back baskets to make it a two-point game.
Tony Bishop capped an 18-point, 13-rebound performance with a jumper, but Jeron Teng completed an and-one play and Abu Tratter hit a straightaway jumper to keep the Aces within 92-93.
Chris Banchero then missed a jumper, giving final possession to Alaska and for Cariaso to draw up the game-winning play. (NC)
The scores:
Alaska 94 - DiGregorio 21, Ashaolu 21, Ilagan 11, Teng 9, Tratter 9, Taha 7, Racal 7, Bulanadi 4, Faundo 2, Stockton 0, Ahanmisi 0.
Meralco 93 - Maliksi 32, Bishop 18, Almazan 12, Newsome 9, Quinto 7, Banchero 6, Black 5, Hodge 4, Baclao 0, Hugnatan 0, Caram 0.
Quarters: 23-19, 52-47, 81-69, 94-93.
