Just when Ateneo de Manila University needed a spark against University of the Philippines, Dave Ildefonso bucked a slow start to lead the Blue Eagles to their 10th win in the UAAP Season 85 Men’s Basketball Tournament.
Despite scoring zero points in the first half, the second-generation cager bounced back by scoring all of his 15 points in the last two quarters while also getting seven rebounds.
All he needed was some words of encouragement from his coach Tab Baldwin.
“I think what really helped me out was when coach Tab pulled me aside and just talked to me. He just gave me some Tab Baldwin wisdom, which I am always welcome to receive. He just told me to just have fun. It’s a big moment. It’s a big game. So many people are watching,” said Ildefonso.
“He told me that he has so much belief in me. He told me that he’s gonna have my back whatever happens. I told him I’d have his back too. That just helps me out with the caliber of a coach that he is.
“Just hearing a great coach like him ups your confidence by 1,000 percent,” the 22-year-old former NU Bulldog expressed.
For Baldwin, supporting Ildefonso is a no-brainer. The former New Zealand mentor already came into the defense of his ward after the Blue Eagles’ game against University of the East.
They’ve been working together for quite a while now, not just in Ateneo but also in Gilas Pilipinas. They trust each other 100 percent and nothing will change that.
“Dave is dealing with a lot of pressure from a lot of different angles. I did tell him that no matter what, he’s my guy. There’s not an incident that could happen that backs me off this guy,” said Baldwin.
“I’ve grown to know him over the last three years and this is a man of true character. This is a man of real substance as a human being.”
Without a doubt, Ateneo has its sights set on reclaiming the crown it lost back in Season 84.
To achieve that, though, they may need to pass through UP in the finals. If both schools will meet each other again for a finals rematch, then Ildefonso needs to play better if the Blue Eagles want to redeem themselves.
“It’s a big confidence boost kasi pumapasok eh. They’ve been defending me really well, especially in the finals. As hard as it is to look back on my performance from the finals, I just try to keep my head down and keep working,” he said.
“I just try to get the shots I can take and just keep moving on. Confidence-wise, this game is really gonna help. It’s really gonna help the team.”
