SHAUN Ildefonso proved he has the pedigree of the ‘Demolition Man’ after making his first in-game dunk in the PBA Philippine Cup opposite NLEX in Friday night’s PBA Philippine Cup.
Ildefonso converted the one-handed slam in the final 23 seconds and the outcome of the game already in the bag for Rain or Shine, which won, 120-104.
The third-year guard said he told teammate Santi Santillan about his plan, albeit with reservations that the Rain or Shine coaching staff and the Road Warriors could be offended with his move.
“Siguro mga two minutes, panalo na kami. Sinabihan ko si Santi, ‘Gusto kong mag-dunk.’ Sinabi ko talaga ito kay coach,” recalled the son of two-time league MVP Danny I.
“Sabi ko kung mag-shoot ako magagalit kaya yung other team or si coach? So sabi ko, why not just go for it.”
He did, and elicited a lot of cheers from the Rain or Shine gallery, reminiscent of the time when his father – nicknamed the Demolition Man during his playing years - was doing those ‘Raise The Roof’ slams while still playing for San Miguel.
The young Ildefonso, who finished with 14 points including 2-of-3 shooting from beyond the arc, said that has been a long-time dream of him.
“Every day I’ve been planning that scenario in my head, gusto kong maka-jump, first dunk ko in the PBA. Thank God na nangyari ito at walang nagalit,” said the 6-foot-1 player.
Ildefonso added he expects comparison to be made between him and his father, especially now that he’s beginning to make a name for himself in Asia’s pioneering pro league.
“Comparisons will always be there,” he said, stressing it will be hard to achieve the same success as his father.
“I’ll never achieve what my dad achieved. That’s set in stone. Pero every time I’m in the court, bigyan ako ng chance ni coach, I’m just here to represent myself, him, and my family in the best way that I can.”
Ildefonso was named Best Player of the Game, also the first in his pro career that came on the night Rain or Shine clinched a quarterfinals berth in the all-Filipino conference.
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