DAVE Ildefonso is upbeat about wearing the national team jersey again after three years as he and the under-18 basketball team compete in the FIBA U-18 Asia Championship in Thailand from Sunday to August 11.
Ildefonso is returning to Batang Gilas since he last played in SEABA 2015 and FIBA U-16 Asia Championship, where they failed to get a World Cup berth.
Now that he is back, the son of PBA legend, Danny Ildefonso, is seeking to fulfill their family’s dream.
“Siyempre gusto ko makapasok naman sa World Cup kasi 'yun ‘yung goal namin ni tatay,” the 17-year-old Ildefonso said. “At saka it’s a big thing talaga to play against the best people all around the world.”
The 6-foot-4 winger added that having a good finish in their tournament could redeem the country’s string of misfortunes last month, when the men’s basketball team had an ugly brawl with Australia in their second round duel in the FIBA Asia Championship and the controversial withdrawal of Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas in the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang.
“I think we’re part din doon sa redeeming process and it’s really great help for the Filipino basketball fans if we can be able to pull this off,” he said.
Batang Gilas Head Coach Josh Reyes has been insisting that they need the scoring prowess of Ildefonso as they take on Lebanon on Sunday, face UAE on Monday before battling powerhouse China on Tuesday in Group B.
Ildefonso knows his role as a scorer and also promises to give his all on both offensive and defensive ends.
“Siguro I’m one of the best scorers doon sa teams talaga and the team really needs that from me and hindi lang naman ‘yun ‘yung mabibigay ko para sa team,” he said. “I can play defense on which ever position.”
Also as one of the few incoming college players in the team, Ildefonso believes that his experience and leadership will help the team.
“I think it’s really helpful kasi more experienced kami and ‘yung play of college and high school is really different and I think if you compare international basketball to Philippines basketball, it’s more leaning towards college basketball,” he said.
“I think it’s really one of our roles sa team to be able to mentor them and make them better players.”
For the Ateneo Blue Eaglet-turned-NU Bulldog, regardless of the result, the national team experience will be a big boost when he enters the collegiate basketball scene and even a stepping stone in his dream to be part of the men’s national basketball team for the 2023 Fiba World Cup that the Philippines is co-hosting.
“Personally, I think this can really help me. This is a stepping stone eh. National team is always a stepping stone to become a better player, become a known player and to be able to reach my dream din and to be on the radar of other coaches,” Ildefonso said.
“I think this is taking me an inch closer to my dream to being able to play sa 2023 sa World Cup sa Philippines.”
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph