Dave Ildefonso struggles to a season low against Ateneo

Ateneo’s Thirdy Ravena and NU’s Dave Ildefonso. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

ANTIPOLO—National University swingman Dave Ildefonso played his worst game in UAAP Season 82 as Ateneo held him to just a field goal in 26 minutes on Saturday.

Facing the reigning two-time champion and the only undefeated team this season, Ildefonso managed to take only five shots and score two points.

It also didn’t help that Ildefonso dealt with health issues before and during the game. Though, he still lauded the Blue Eagles’ defense.

“Ateneo is just a great team. Great defense, great offense,” said Ildefonso, who came into the game averaging 16.2 points, after NU lost, 88-51, its 11th in 13 outings.

“I did have a bad night cause I didn’t practice yesterday (Friday) because of my hamstring and then today, in the second quarter when I was playing, I could feel like there was something in my ankle, like there was something pulling my veins so I couldn’t really run that much if you could see the game and see the way how I run and drive,” he recalled.

“I really can’t because I was trying to nurse my ankle. I just wanted to play because Ateneo is gonna try to stop me and clog so I wanted to be some kind of a decoy and you know, drive and kick and all that but it didn’t work because I couldn’t really move that much.”

With Ildefonso not in his element, the Bulldogs just couldn’t match the Blue Eagles’ firepower.

Shaun Ildefonso was the lone Bulldog to hit double-digit scoring with 21.

Ateneo, on the other hand, was led by Angelo Kouame’s 17 points and 13 rebounds and Thirdy Ravena, who made most of his damage in the third quarter where the Eagles’ put the game away.

The Bulldogs’ 37-point loss is the biggest losing margin this season.