DAVE Ildefonso believed that National University almost had the win in the bag only to fall short at the hands of De La Salle, 76-80, in UAAP Season 81 on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The super rookie continued to flash his potential as he once again led the charge for the Bulldogs, finishing with 16 points on top of four rebounds and three assists in the loss.
But his best wasn’t enough.
“Siguro, nagka-meltdown lang nang kaunti,” Ildefonso said. “Na-guilty ako sa parang selfish na paglalaro ko minsan. I just wanted to help the team. Siguro minsan nag-backfire.”
It seems the former Ateneo high school standout, who shot 6-of-15 from the field, has no choice but to keep shooting as the Bulldogs rookies really have to step for their young core.
“Kasi, siyempre, noong nawala sila Jayjay (Alejandro), nawala sila Matt (Salem). Kami nila (John Lloyd) Clemente 'yung mostly tinitignan, 'yung binibigyan ng plays,” Ildefonso said.
“'Yun talaga 'yung dahilan kaya kami kinuha; for scoring and mostly all-around. 'Yun 'yung responsibility ko sa team,” the 18-year-old son of Danny Ildefonso added.
Still, with Ildefonso leading the way, the Bulldogs had the chance to win the game only to see the breaks fall in the Green Archers’ favor down the stretch.
After Justine Baltazar drained the go-ahead jumper as the Green Archers took a 78-76 lead with 28 seconds to go, the Bulldogs turned the ball over on a five-second violation in the next play followed by Andrei Caracut's game-sealing free throws.
“Sa tingin ko amin talaga dapat 'yun. Stretches of the game, good shot 'yung kay Baltazar. Kaya naman naming manalo. We proved naman na kaya naming makipag-compete sa one of the best,” the 6-foot-3 Ildefonso said.
While believing the youth of the team was sort of exposed in the game, Ildefonso believes it hardly reflects their identity.
“Pwede, pero I don't think it's gonna be a consistent thing,” Ildefonso said. “Biglaan lang siyang nangyayari. It doesn't show who we are. It doesn't show what we're capable of. It just happens,” he said.
Still, the rookie said that he is just relishing his first season in the seniors’ division.
“Walang pressure kasi rookie ka. No one really knows you that much. Your rookie season parang defines you. Knowing that I have such a big responsibility, hindi ko iniisip 'yung pressure,” he added.
Ildefonso and the Bulldogs try to bounce back from the loss and improve their 1-1 win-loss record as they take on defending champions Ateneo Blue Eagles on Saturday, 4 p.m., at Araneta Coliseum.
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