Rain or Shine’s rookie Shaun Ildefonso in the PBA Governors’ Cup. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Shaun Ildefonso may not be the flashiest player in his family’s lineage of basketball, but that will not stop him from making the most out of his opportunities.
In Rain or Shine’s lopsided 112-97 loss to Magnolia, Ildefonso served as one of the Elasto Painters’ few silver linings. Despite having played role player minutes, the big-bodied guard produced key numbers for coach Yeng Guiao.
“All I’m thinking is, whenever I get the chance, I’ll give quality minutes. I’ll really pour it all out and as much as possible, it’s evident. Eight minutes or ten minutes, I’d want to be as efficient as possible. That’s all, I’m not asking for more,” said Ildefonso.
Ildefonso only played for eight minutes on Wednesday at Philsports Arena, but came away with eight points, three rebounds and two assists.
The 2022 first round draft pick also registered an efficient 60 percent shooting clip, sinking three of his five attempts from the field, with two of them coming from beyond the arc.
In his young career, Ildefonso is averaging just 4.43 markers and 1.67 boards per game, but on very limited minutes. Still, with his talent and popularity, he earned a spot in the Rookies, Juniors and Sophomore All-Star Game happening at Passi, Iloilo.
“Even though I’m not the guy who plays the most out of all the rookies, I still got in so at the end of the day I’m still grateful. I didn’t really ask for that but I just would like to be a part of it,” said the 24-year old in Filipino.
“Ando’n na rin naman ako, e. ‘Di ba?”
‘SIMPLE’
Carrying the Ildefonso name brings enough pressure, but carrying it after his father and PBA great Danny and his brother Dave is a bigger challenge on its own.
Still, Shaun is not worried about his progress because for him, pressure is nothing but a word.
“At the end of the day, pressure is just a word […] My dad’s a superstar, Dave is in Korea but me I’m just chill. I’m here in the PBA, I’m thankful for that. Whenever I get the chance, I’ll just give a hundred percent,” said Shaun.
Dave is currently donning the black and white in the Korean Basketball League, playing for the Suwon KT Sonicboom after leading the Ateneo Blue Eagles to a UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball championship last year.
Their father, Danny, meanwhile, is an assistant coach for Aldin Ayo in the Converge FiberXers.
Despite his family’s achievements, though, the eldest is not rushing his development in the professional league but is keener on relishing the opportunities given to him by Guiao and the Rain or Shine coaching staff.
“I’m just a simple man,” concluded Shaun, with a laugh.