Photo from Shaun Ildefonso’s Instagram
MANILA, Philippines—PBA players expressed their full of gratitude to their moms for Mother’s Day.
While the PBA Philippine Cup playoffs are in full effect, several players took time to honor their beloved mothers for their special day.
SHAUN ILDEFONSO
In a family where basketball is the blood life of the men included in it, the Ildefonsos are highly thankful for their mother who lights up the family household.
Shaun, in particular, who’s been balling out for Rain or Shine encapsulated his love for his mother by stating that he, his brother Dave and even their father Danny wouldn’t excel in the sport without the support of their main woman.
READ: PBA: Finding his footing, Shaun Ildefonso shows up big for Rain or Shine
“Honestly, I can even say this for my dad. He wouldn’t be him if it weren’t for mom. The thing is, she’s the true legend. People see my dad as the legend but Nanay is really the one who does everything; from taking care of us, to handling our business, she’s really our best friend,” said Shaun on Friday at Araneta Coliseum.
“I dedicate this career [to her.] She’s one of the reasons why I want to play this sport, it’s because of her. I can’t exaggerate enough how much impact she gives me every day. She completes me.”
That’s why the National University product made sure to give a heartfelt message to one of the most important women in his life.
“Hi Nay, mahal na mahal ka namin, we’re in this sport because of you, we do what we love because of you, we got the true meaning of love from you.”
DOMINICK FAJARDO
Another player who owes a lot of his success to his mother is NLEX guard Dominick Fajardo.
His story from being an NLEX employee to a professional basketball player is laudable enough but he made it clear there was a force behind his inspiring story.
That force is, of course, his mother, who pushed him through college with the humble job of doing laundry for his aunts.
READ: PBA: Dominick Fajardo gets salary bump amid stellar play for NLEX
“She motivated me by being a hard worker. We began life down. [In] her previous work, she washed clothes. That’s what she did before, for my aunts. She made me finish college with her work. Maybe that’s what really drove me here, her hard work,” said the Road Warrior in Filipino.
It seems as though Fajardo got his grit from his mom as he’s currently persevering his way to earn more minutes in the NLEX rotation.
Fajardo kept his message to his mother short, simple and surely heartfelt.
“I love you so much, Mama. Always.”
ROGER POGOY
TNT’s lethal two-way player Roger Pogoy also thanked his mother for being there especially when he needed her most.
In a time when he was still honing his basketball skills as a kid, his mother would always be present in his training camps—no matter how early or how late they were.
It certainly helped Pogoy that his mother was always present in his pursuit of becoming a professional, considering his father was a seaman and wasn’t always in attendance during his younger days.
“Ever since I was a kid, she goes with me for training and sometimes it’s in the early morning, she even fetches me. That’s in Cebu, she’s really supportive. All the training camps that I attended, she was there,” said Pogoy in Filipino.
“My father’s a seaman so it was my mom who’s always with me.”
“I’m so thankful for my mom. Without her, there wouldn’t be any Roger Pogoy now.”
CALVIN OFTANA
Of course, the other half of the “Amigos” also has nothing but positive words for his mother.
“My mom’s such a big help. Even if she doesn’t watch my games, I know that she prays for me every game that I’ll be safe. You guys don’t know how much I love my mom, the support she gives me is there even if she’s just in the province,” said Calvin Oftana after finishing with a near-double-double of 32 points and nine rebounds in TNT’s win on Friday.
Oftana even became a bit emotional just talking about his mother after recalling how she used to give him extra money even if she didn’t have much on her during the time.
“She’s not physically there but I get teary-eyed when I talk about my mom because even if she doesn’t have much on her, she still gave me money before.”
So for Mother’s Day, Oftana might not be able to celebrate the special day with his Tropang Giga still in title contention but he was sure to send his regards to her mom in the province.
“I miss you, we haven’t seen each other in a while, it’s been months but I love and Happy Mother’s Day.”
ALLEIN MALIKSI
If there’s anyone who’s faced much adversity with his mother over the past few years, it’s Meralco shooter Allein Maliksi, whose mother battled cancer a few years ago.
Now with his mother doing well, Maliksi remembered how his mother taught him how to overcome challenges and be “goal-driven.”
“We experienced the lowest of lows. She raised me to be goal-driven. I really persevered so I can lift my family and her lift up from poverty,” said the league veteran in Filipino.
The Bolts’star, who scored 22 in their win over NLEX in the same day, also recalled how his mom would still care and cook for him despite being sick a few years back.
“She’s always there to help me anywhere. Whatever happened to her, despite the cancer before, she’s still there to be support. She’ll even cook for me. As long is it comes to supporting, she’s there,” said Maliksi.
BASER AMER
Baser Amer also had his mother’s support ever since.
And he couldn’t feel any more blessed than he already is.
“I’m so blessed to have her until now. I think she’s 76 now. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for her. I wouldn’t be in San Beda, PBA or achieving my goals if it wasn’t for my mom and dad,” said Amer.
“Mom, happy mother’s day, thank you for all the sacrifices and help. Despite your kids being naughty, you’re still there so thank you.”