Shaun Ildefonso just got one over his dad.
What was just a good ol’ ribbing between him and his legendary father Danny turned out true. Rain or Shine escaped Converge by way of a thrilling 79-77 decision in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup opener on Sunday night.
“Sabi ko sa kanya, 1-0, 1-0, 1-0 na kami,” said the 22-year-old, referring to his taunt on his dad ahead of their clash – their first after spending years together in National University.
“I’m really happy that we got the win against him.”
The elder Ildefonso, meanwhile, could only accept that his son proved him right. “Medyo naglolokohan kasi kami sa bahay. ‘Tingnan natin,’ ginaganon lang namin. So yun, nagkatotoo nga,” he said with a chuckle.
All jokes aside, Shaun simply feels proud to have realized his dream of playing in the very league his father dominated years ago.
“Si Tatay, I represent him in everything, I honor him in everything. Wala ako dito kung hindi para sa kanya,” he said.
The two-time PBA MVP is happy as well to see his son make it this far.
“Masayang-masaya kasi yun nga, ulitin ko, dream come true sa aming pamilya lalong-lalo na sa akin,” he said. “Then nakapaglaro pa.”
Ildefonso only played for less than five minutes. But that doesn’t matter at all for his dad, who was glad about the aggressiveness he saw.
“Ang maganda lang naman napansin ko ‘yung aggressiveness andun pa rin, konting adjust lang,” he offered. “Kasi siyempre yung aggressiveness niya, natapat siya kay Jeron [Teng] so medyo naano siya roon.
“Pero workable naman yung mga mistakes niya.”
