IT’S just fine for PBA great Danny Ildefonso that elder son Shaun has seen his playing career in the league came to an end middle of Season 50.
The turn of events ultimately, paved the way for something he wished for.
After Shaun parted ways with Rain or Shine, a door opened for him to sign up with the Abra North Weavers in the MPBL and finally get a chance to play alongside younger brother Dave Ildefonso.
READ Bros Dave, Shaun find shared purpose as their paths cross in Abra
“Siyempre masayang-masaya kasi isang dream ng ama 'yun, ang magkasama sila sa isang team,” said the elder Ildefonso, who currently serves as one of the deputies of the Converge FiberXers in the PBA, on Sunday.
“And kahit paano, masaya yung bata (Dave), and masaya rin 'yung mas nakakatanda (Shaun).
This marked the second time the Ildefonsos are playing under one team, dating back to their days with National University. But it’s their first team-up in a professional ballclub.
That became possible after the 28-year-old Shaun wasn’t given a contract extension by Rain or Shine, the same team which picked him in the first round of the Season 47 draft.
Being a former player, Danny I said he understood how life is a cut-throat competition in the PBA.
He said the Ildefonso family is forever grateful to the Rain or Shine franchise and coach Yeng Guiao.
“Wala kaming masasabi sa Rain or Shine. Very thankful kami sa team, most especially kay coach Yeng. Talagang nagpapasalamat kami,” said the two-time league MVP and former San Miguel franchise player.
“Ilang taon din yun? Four seasons? So enough na din yun.”
But being young and with a promising career ahead, all Shaun wanted to do is play.
“Alam namin gustong maglaro nung bata,” said the elder Ildefonso, noting that it’s something his son couldn’t get in a stacked up Rain or Shine roster.
“Tsaka yung bata gustong maglaro na makukuha niya naman sa ibang liga, sa MPBL,” Ildefonso added.
“Sa amin naman, kahit ako naging player din ako. And si Dave sinasabi niya rin yun masaya yung nakakapaglaro ka.”
So far, he hasn’t seen his two sons play together in person, although he plans to do so one of these days especially once the Commissioner’s Cup is over.
“Sa TV pa lang kasi busy din ako ngayon. Kung may pagkakataon, manonood ako,” said the 39-year-old pride of Urdaneta, Pangasinan, who is an eight-time champion and one of the PBA's 50 Greatest Players of all time.
Shaun and Dave, the reigning MPBL MVP, playing for one team also makes it convenient for the entire Ildefonso family.
“Sa family masaya kami kasi isang team na lang ang panonoorin namin,” said Danny I. “Hindi na yung palipat-lipat pa.”
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