AS coach Yeng Guiao tries to convert Shaun Ildefonso to play the point, two former Rain or Shine personnel serve as template for the sophomore player as far as playmaking is concerned.
Ildefonso mentioned Paul Lee and Jericho Cruz as the point guards he observes as he tries takes on a new role with the Elasto Painters.
See Asistio, Ildefonso star as Rain or Shine scores wire-to-wire win over Converge
The son of two-time PBA MVP Danny Ildefonso admitted approaching Lee and asking about how to run the backcourt since Guiao apparently talked to the veteran Magnolia guard about his plan to move Shaun at the point.
“Una kong kinausap dito is kuya Paul Lee. Nagtanong ako ng mga pointers,” said Ildefonso, adding Guiao told to Lee about his plans when he coached his former star player during the All-Star weekend in Iloilo last March.
“Yun nga sinasabi nila kumpiyansa. And you have to be smart kasi kahit di pa ganon ka-talented sa skills, basta matalino ka, ok ka, e. I really rely on that.”
Ildefonso said eversince from high school to college, he usually played the 4 spot, and the only time he transitioned as a point guard came during his final year at National University with coach Jeff Napa.
But with Rain or Shine lacking in size at the backcourt behind Anton Asistio and Andrei Caracut, Guiao sees the need to convert the stocky, 6-foot-1 Ildefonso into a big point guard.
The transition is so far, so good, according to Ildefonso, although there’s still a lot to improve on his playmaking.
“Definitely, there’s more to learn. As much as possible sa practice, ako mismo nagsasabi na ako ba mag-point, kailangan ko ba mag-point. Kailangan ng shooting, dribbling. Dati panay PS5 ako, laro lang ako ng laro. Ngayon nanonood na ako ng clips,” he said.
Among the clips he watches are those of Kyrie Irving, and yes, another ex-Rain or Shine player in Cruz.
“Kyrie masyadong magaling,” he said with a chuckle.
Actually, si kuya Jericho Cruz. He can be a two-guard,” Ildefonso added. “Malaki siya, e. May shooting. So I try to emulate him as much as possible. Idol ko rin yan si kuya Jericho, so pinapanood ko rin siya.”
Ildefonso finished with 19 points on 3-of-7 shooting from beyond the arc in the Elasto Painters’ runaway 127-110 win over Converge in the PBA On Tour Friday at the Ynares Arena in Pasig.
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