Rain or Shine sophomore guard Shaun Ildefonso responds to the daily challenges that stem from being the son of basketball great Danny Ildefonso and from playing under multi-titled mentor Yeng Guiao.
A smile was plastered across Shaun Ildefonso's face as he explained how he felt in earning the Player of the Game recognition after Rain or Shine advanced to the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup quarterfinals with an emphatic 120-104 win over NLEX.
Elasto Painters coach Yeng Guiao sat beside him in the press room at the PhilSports Arena Friday night, unable to contain his grin as his charge, whom he described as a player who had "contagious energy," got candid about his first time to get the individual honor as well as his maiden dunk.
"First Best Player of the Game tapos first dunk ko 'yun in-game all my life. Hindi ko ma-explain, hindi ako makatutulog ngayon," said Ildefonso, who logged 14 points on a 5-for-8 shooting clip he topped with three rebounds.
Earlier in the presser, Guiao noted Ildefonso's improvement under his wing while also lauding the 26-year-old's diligence and infectious exuberant personality.
The former National University (NU) star was picked 10th overall by Rain or Shine in the 2022 draft.
"Malaki ang improvement ni Shaun. Minsan kinakausap ko siya, sinasabihan ko kung ano pang kailangan ng game niya. Masipag 'to, eh. 'Yung energy nito, boundless, eh. Parang parati siyang hyper," said Guiao.
"'Yun nga, contagious 'yung energy niya. Natutuwa lahat kami dahil very exuberant 'yung personality nito, eh," Guiao added.
Ildefonso's first working experience with Guiao, however, did not start with praise but a challenge for him to improve his shooting.
"When I first experienced coach Yeng, when I came into the team, sinabi niya sa'kin, actually, ako saka si Nick Demusis (teammate), 'pag wala kaming shooting, we'll bounce from one team to another. And for me, that was a challenge, eh. Hindi ko siya nakita as kailangan ko lang i-prove 'yung shooting ko but all aspects of my game," said Ildefonso.
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This involved getting used to playing as a guard in the pros after suiting up as a power forward and center in high school and collegiate basketball. The goal each game was simply to grow and be able to execute what his coaches ask him to.
"Kasi coming from high school to college, I'm only 6'1, kahit noong college ako, I played a 4, 5, minsan sa NU. So, coming to the PBA, I really had to transition to a guard, eh; and it took time. And I'm still in the progress of evolving into that type of player," said Ildefonso.
Shaun Ildefonso sports Rain or Shine's retro Welcoat jersey in its match against Converge on April 4. | Photo (c) PBA
"Ako naman, ang goal ko every game is just to grow, may it be as a better person or a better basketball player. Wala akong ibang ginugusto. Siyempre, manalo for the team, but, at the end of day, magawa ko lang mga tamang gusto ng mga coaches, mga gusto ko, OK na sa'kin 'yun."
This mindset of improving every game is what helps him get through the pressure that comes with being the son of a PBA legend – Danny Ildefonso.
"In my position kasi, comparison will always be there. My brother (former Ateneo standout Dave) is in the KBL (Korean Basketball League). Ako, no one really rooted for me. When I was going to the draft, expect 'to, late second round ako, ganyan, ganyan. But from that day, everything changed, eh. I saw it to myself that it's a challenge, you know, to keep getting better everyday," said Ildefonso.
After all, he is doing all of this for God and for his family, thus he is putting in all the hard work behind the scenes.
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"The hard work that I put in, hindi nakikita ng tao 'yun, eh, the dedication. Kasi all they see, siyempre 'yung highlights, but what happens in practice, unseen hours after practice, [they don't see that]. Ako, ang goal ko lagi, ako huli laging umalis ng practice. May it be extra shooting, weights, gagawin ko 'yan. At the end of the day, it's for the Lord and for my family," said Ildefonso.