A flashy guard and an elite scorer were two of the many characteristics San Sebastian College-Recoletos legend RK Ilagan was known for during his stellar four-year run in the NCAA.
They now find those two facets in Paeng Are, who is dubbed as the second coming of the Stags icon for his ability to burst in offense while also being a threat on defense due to his quickness and game awareness.
For Are, just to be in the same breath with Ilagan is already a huge honor.
"Isang karangalan din kasi si kuya RK Ilagan na ‘yan e, the shotgun," Are told reporters after wrapping up their Season 100 campaign on Saturday.
"Unang-una grabe shooting niya and grabe ‘yung ginawa niya [para] sa Baste, kumbaga isang karangalan na ma-compare sa kanya."
However, Are isn't just being compared to Ilagan.
The 5-foot-10 playmaker shared that Ilagan is actually consistent in giving him tips and advice when it comes to basketball, saying the latter would even record San Sebastian's games and point out to him what he needs to improve on.
"May mga games kami na panalo kami tapos nage-effort pa siya na i-record ‘yung video na ‘yun tapos [sasabihin niya na], ‘Paeng, ito dapat hindi mo finorce shot ‘yan’," Are added.
"Sinasabihan niya ako na lagi kong tignan ‘yung mali ko at ‘yung mga dapat ko pang i-improve. Ayon ‘yung tumatak sa akin na sinabi ni kuya RK, na lagi kong pag-aralan ‘yung advantage at disadvantage sa laro."
With Ilagan, who suited up for the Stags from Season 92 to 95 and who now plays professionally for Blackwater in the PBA, guiding Are, the diminutive guard rose as one of the league's best scorers.
At the end of the elimination round, the 23-year-old Are averaged a league-high 17.88 points laced with 4.24 rebounds, 4.35 assists, 2.53 steals, and 0.06 blocks to help the Stags rack up six wins in 18 outings.
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
