Dave Ildefonso had a bad night in the office for Ateneo de Manila University in its 69-66 overtime win over University of the East in the UAAP Season 85 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
The game sealed the Blue Eagles’ place in this season’s Final Four. And it saw the second-generation cager score 12 points on the back of a dismal 3-of-14 shooting in the 45-minute affair.
He did make the big three that forced the additional period, which set Ateneo towards victory. However, Ildefonso admits that he needs to contribute more points-wise to get the Blue Eagles where they want to be this campaign.
“The whole season really, it’s been tough for me offensively. But as coach Tab (Baldwin) taught me, especially with the Ateneo program, there’s more to basketball than points,” said the former National University Bulldog.
“There are the intangibles, there are the rebounds; there are assists, there’s defense. I was just really trying to help the team out. My shooting wasn’t working. Thankfully the shots I was able to take were the important ones and the ones that we needed.
“Hopefully, I can raise up the 21-percent especially in threes because we’re a three-point shooting team and we want to be known as that. Just gonna put my head down and work harder.”
As the saying goes, the only way to go is up. When Ildefonso finished commenting on his dismal shooting night against the Red Warriors, Baldwin quickly spoke in defense of his protege.
If someone within the Philippine basketball community knows talent when he sees it, it is the former New Zealand national team coach. He fully understands that the former Eaglet is crucial for his side’s ambitions this season.
Because of this, Baldwin sought to raise Ildefonso’s confidence after a dismal output.
“I’d also say Dave’s instructed not to pass shots up. It’s not really his decision if he’s not feeling it or anything else like that. He’s a go-to guy in our team and in our program. He does a good job of playing through those emotional downs, particularly for young players if they’re not hitting shots,” said Baldwin.
“He just stays focused – he does his job. And we all know the quality of player Dave is. They’re gonna drop. The day’s gonna come when they start dropping. That’s gonna be big for our team and that’s gonna be a problem for other teams,” he continued.
“I know the other teams know that too. They don’t leave Dave open… The respect is there for the player he’s built himself into. I believe 100-percent that the results will follow.”
As things stand, Ateneo remains in the hunt for a playoff incentive in the postseason. NU’s loss to De La Salle University earlier in the day has given the Katipunan school more than enough motivation to do well in its final elimination round assignments.
Up next for the Blue Eagles, though, is a date against defending champions University of the Philippines this Saturday. It will be another big game between two of the top teams in the division; and top game players from both sides shall look to make their mark.
It is also the perfect game for Ildefonso to have a better shooting day. And for him, he looks forward to facing the challenge head-on.
“I’m always looking forward to going against UP because they’re number one and they probably have one of the best players in the country with Carl Tamayo,” he said.
“They’re all talented so when the odds are stacked against you, don’t you just want to fight and try your best and try to break down the giants? That’s what we’re trying to do and hopefully, we’ll be able to do that.”
