PBA: RK Ilagan hits buzzer-beater as Alaska beats Meralco

Alaska’s RK Ilagan goes for a shot against Meralco’s Chris Banchero. PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—RK Ilagan delivered the game-winner as Alaska posted its most dramatic win yet in its farewell season, nipping Meralco, 94-93, in the PBA Governors’ Cup Saturday at Ynares Center in Antipolo.

With 4.7 seconds left in the game, Ilagan danced with Bong Quinto in the perimeter before pulling up near the free throw line to sink the game’s final field goal as time expired.

“He’s really earned the trust,” said Aces head coach Jeffrey Cariaso of Ilagan, who was drafted in the 31st overall in the PBA Season 46 Draft. “RK comes in and displays a tremendous work ethic. What we, the coaching staff, liked was no matter what happens he comes in already and he works hard.”

“RK’s always preparing, making himself ready for games like this so it was easy to trust him. He’s a kid with a chip on his shoulder, he wasn’t drafted high, a lot of teams passed up on him. He proves every day why he deserves to be in the PBA.”

Alaska, however, nearly threw away the game as it allowed Meralco to erase a 17-point margin, 76-59, near the end of the third and take a 93-90 lead with 49.1 seconds left.

Abu Tratter managed to put the Aces within one, 93-92, on a jumper with 30.6 seconds to play.

Ilagan finished with a career-high 11 points, six of which came in the final 3:18, and three assists for the 6-3 Aces.

Olu Ashaolu and Mike Drigregorio led Alaska’s scoring with 21 points apiece as they chalked up their third win in four games to for the fourth seed and secure a spot in the playoffs.

Allein Maliksi scored 32 points for the Bolts, who dropped to 6-2 while staying in the second spot of the standings.

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