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Ilagan escapes past Capuyan for his fourth Asian Tour title

Lourence Ilagan was all smiles after winning his fourth Asian Tour title. Kevin Estrada/Dugout Philippines
By Kevin Estrada

QUEZON CITY -- Having already sealed his third stint in the World Championship, Lourence Ilagan is not done yet winning, beating Val Capuyan in a last-leg decider on an all-Filipino final in the penultimate leg of the PDC Asian Tour at the Crowne Plaza Ballroom tonight.

After getting an opening round bye, The Gunner further cemented his claim as the continent's top darter, winning his fourth crown in front of the hometown crowd that served as the final stop in the inaugural tour.

Ilagan, the fomer BDO World Masters semifinalist, held his throw against The Driver in which he fired five maximums for a 5-4 victory, averaging 93.2 in the process to pick up a US$3600 cheque.

However, the win was not a cakewalk as the Baguio sniper clawed back from 1-4 down to force a decision game by winning three straight legs that featured checkouts of 117 and 100.

With the triumph, Ilagan is guaranteed to top the Order of Merit by extending his haul to US$17,630 as Royden Lam of Hong Kong ended his challenge after he fell to Mark Canapi in the second round.

The two finalists sealed the second all-Pinoy affair in the tour after knocking down respective foes.

Capuyan saw his 3-0 lead went up in flames after Malicdem clawed back by winning the next three legs on the trot, but the Baguio marksman held his throw to win a last leg decider.

Ilagan meanwhile, fired six 140s and a maximum to dispatch Singapore's Paul Lim, 5-2 after starting the match by winning the first two legs.

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