OVER two decades since Danny Ildefonso last wore the blue-and-gold, his sons Shaun and Dave now aim to build a family legacy while playing for National University in UAAP Season 81.
"I'm very excited, at the same time, kinakabahan din," said the elder Ildefonso, who will have a close look at his sons' development as an assistant to coach Jamike Jarin.
Danny I understands the pressure on his sons and the two-time PBA MVP has been constantly reminding them to focus on their main goal — help the Bulldogs in whatever way they can.
"Sabi ko nga sa kanila, wag nilang isipin yung nagawa ko kasi pressure sa kanila kung iisipin nilang tumbasan yung na-achieve ko. Sabi ko, gumawa sila ng sarili nilang pangalan, na makilala sila na Dave Ildefonso at Shaun Ildefonso. Pinapaalala ko sa kanila na wag nilang isipin na magiging shadow sila sa akin dahil ako mismo, sasabihin kong mas magaling sila sa akin," he said.
The Ildefonso brothers say they are ready to take on the challenge.
"Sinasabi nga nila na the Ildefonso legacy is back in NU and there's always pressure there. Pero syempre, the ultimate goal ko now is to win a championship with them and give a championship to NU," said Shaun.
Dave added: "Syempre, big shoes to fill yung nagawa ni tatay, pero di ko muna iniisip yung pressure. Growing up, nandyan palagi ang pressure sa akin and I've learned to live with it."
Rather than be overwhelmed with the unique setup, the Ildefonso brothers are relishing the rare chance to work with familiar faces, with "Lakay" always giving them pointers on how to improve their game.
"Masayang masaya ako na kasama ko si kuya at si tatay. Mas matututukan ako ni tatay na mas makapag-improve, pati na rin si kuya. Mutual improvement kami ni kuya," said Dave, who saw action for Batang Gilas in the 2018 Fiba Under-18 Asian Championship.
Shaun added, "It's a big help kasi nung bata pa kami, alam na ni erpat mga weaknesses namin, what we have to improve on, stuff like that. Magkasama kami sa bahay so we can plan na, 'Uy, shooting tayo mamaya.' It's an advantage talaga having him coach us."
The elder Ildefonso isn't one to give any special treatment, too.
"Pagdating sa court, sinasabi ko sa kanila na gusto kong tawagin nila akong coach para rin hindi mailang yung ibang players. Basta kung ano ang roles ng coach, ganoon ang trato ko sa kanila, sobra pa nga minsan eh, mas hard ako sa kanila," he said.
"Mas lalo ko silang pinu-push ngayon kasi alam ko yung mga makakalaban nila, hindi magiging easy pag kalaban sila. Yung pagdadaanan nila, napagdaanan ko na kaya alam ko ang mangyayari sa kanila. Kilala ko itong mga anak ko eh. Pag pinush ko sila ng pinush, mas lalong lalabas ang galing nila."
This season, Dave will be wearing jersey number 1 and Shaun donning jersey number 0 — splitting Danny I's famed No. "10."
"Gusto ko talaga 0, and then nung sinabi ni Dave na he wants to play for NU, sabi niya mag-number 1 ka siya para mabuo namin yung 10?" shared Shaun. "Nung naglalaro pa si erpats dito sa NU, alam ko 9 siya eh. So naisip namin, wag na namin galawin yung 9 at yung number na lang niya sa PBA ang gawin natin kaya naging 1 at 0."
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