Pia Ildefonso gave her all on a significant day for her in the 2023 Premier Volleyball League Second All Filipino Conference, which took place on a Tuesday.
The 5-foot-9 wing spiker started in Farm Fresh’s game against defending champion Creamline and played the most minutes in her entire volleyball career. Although the Foxies lost, they earned respect by pushing the Cool Smashers to a four-set battle, with scores of 21-25, 25-21, 20-25, and 22-25 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.
Ildefonso contributed 12 points, including two service aces, along with 11 excellent receptions. These points were the most she has ever scored in a game, according to the Ateneo product.
“Sobrang nagulat ako na finirst six ako ni coach.
“To be honest, ito yung pinakamatagal na game na nilaro ko buong buhay ko as in buong time na natuto ako mag volleyball kahit sa Ateneo never ako nababad na ganito,” said the smiling Ildefonso.
“Super thankful, hindi rin ako makapaniwala kasi nga 12 points, first time ko mag double digits ever in my whole life so ayun super happy, super thankful, and overwhelmed lang din,” the second generation pro athlete continued.
Ildefonso was part of the National University Nazareth School during her high school years, and she played for two seasons at Ateneo in college – indoor in Season 84 and beach in Season 85.
She sat out the indoor campaign of the Blue Eagles in Season 85 “to fight life’s battles outside the sport.”
In June 2023, Ildefonso joined Farm Fresh, which was about to enter the PVL.
During the last Invitational Conference, Ildefonso only played a game out of the Foxies’ five matches, scoring two points in limited minutes in one set. Given the opportunity, the second-generation athlete did not waste it and delivered, with setter Louie Romero giving her all the confidence.
“Super thankful lang talaga ako sa trust ni Coach Jerry lalong lalo na si Louie kasi ayun nga binibigyan niya ako ng bola,” said Ildefonso.
“Siya talaga yung setter na naappreciate ko na kinakausap niya ako and sinasabi niya talaga na ‘Pi, ready ka kasi bibigyan kita.'”
The Foxies’ challenge to the PVL dynasty that is Creamline did not go unnoticed, earning applause from the Cool Smashers fans in attendance. For Ildefonso, she felt that the team performed their best in their first-ever face-off with Creamline, the home of their idols.
Farm Fresh did not face the Cool Smashers in the last conference because they were in different pools.
“Given na Creamline po yung kalaban, all of our idols, all of the people na we still look up to up until now, super saya lang din,” shared Ildefonso.
“No pressure talaga for us pero yung game kanina since I was on the court, I really felt the heart na we all wanted to contribute, we all wanted to get one, kahit isa lang.”
