RK ILAGAN had an explosive start offensively to his PBA career when he scored eight points in less than two minutes during Alaska’s first game of the 2021 Philippine Cup campaign.
The Alaska rookie said he is also out to prove that he can do a lot of things aside from scoring.
“Siyempre masaya,” said Ilagan when asked about his first and, so far, only outing in the PBA. “Pero hindi naman laging puntos lang sa basketball.”
Ilagan is still recovering from a pulled hamstring he sustained during a practice just shortly after his brief PBA debut in a 103-77 win over Blackwater last July 16. The San Sebastian product has been known to score and his eight-point production in a short stint was no longer a surprise.
But the 5-foot-7 Ilagan wants to also show the other aspects of his game when he is given a chance to be on the court again.
RK Ilagan celebrates with Rodney Brondial.
“Hindi ko rin magagawa kundi sa tiwala ng teammates ko. Pagbalik ko, sana ganun pa rin ‘yung mabigay ko sa team at mag-improve pa,” said the Tondo native.
Ilagan said he is aware of the positive reaction to his brief PBA debut, but notes says there is much room for improvement and the first game is not an indicative of what will happen for the rest of the season.
“Siyempre nakaka-overwhelm po pero hindi ko linalagay sa utak ko. Kailangan ko mag-improve. Hindi lang sa puntos. Kung paano ko ma-aano ‘yung team, saan ko matutulungan, at siyempre sa depensa rin,” said Ilagan.
For now, Ilagan said his focus is on his recovery as he hopes to make it back as soon as possible to help the Aces.
“Sobra (panghihinayang) kasi first game pa lang linalaro ko tapos ganun agad. Malaking panghihinayang. Dami pa sanang experience ang makukuha ko,” Ilagan said.
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