Shutting down Dave Ildefonso was an integral part of the Ateneo Blue Eagles' defensive strategy when they pulled off a masterful 72-46 demolition of the NU Bulldogs on Saturday.
Ildefonso, a product of the Ateneo juniors program, topscored for the Bulldogs with an average of 17.5 points in his first two games as a rookie. Against the suffocating defense of Thirdy Ravena and the rest of the Blue Eagles, he was limited to just four points on 2-for-8 shooting. Forced to operate on the outside, he ended up flubbing all six 3-point attempts. He also committed three turnovers in 22 minutes of play.
Ravena, one of Ateneo's most reliable defenders, admitted that guarding Ildefonso was not an easy job. "It was tough. Dave, I think, had great two games already and he's a rookie. I think he has a big upside to his game," he said. "It was a big challenge. Luckily, he was only able to score four, but [he's a] very tough player."
For Blue Eagles coach Tab Baldwin, making Ildefonso bleed for his points was also their way of making him rethink his decision of moving to a different university.
Fresh out of high school, the young Ildefonso had to make a tough decision several months ago. He could continue wearing the blue-and-white colors, where he earned a juniors championship and a Mythical Five selection, or he could join his brother Shaun and father Danny in NU. Ultimately, he chose to be with the Bulldogs.
"Dave, as everybody knows, was a very valued recruit for Ateneo and we ended up not getting him," said Baldwin. "I think that we wanted Dave to rethink that decision or perhaps in hindsight, wonder why he made that decision."
Baldwin also wanted to send a strong message to future Blue Eagle recruits that turning down an opportunity to play for Ateneo comes at a price. "We want that next recruit that it's in that position to remember today," he said. "We'll continue to put performances on the court that hope for all of our recruits to take note and think that this is the right place to be, because they don't want to be on the other side."
Surprised to hear Baldwin's statement, Ildefonso assured that he had no regrets about his transfer. "I don't think I made the wrong decision in switching schools. Whatever statement they were sending me, I didn't get it," he said.
Given Ateneo's loaded roster, the 18-year-old believes that staying in Katipunan meant getting buried deep on the bench, unlike in NU where he immediately received an opportunity to shine.
"Look at SJ [Belangel]'s limited minutes," he said, referring to another blue-chip recruit from the Blue Eaglets. "If I stayed there, I would have more limited playing time. I think I made the right decision, coach Tab, and I'll see you soon."
Ildefonso clarified that he's not looking ahead to their rematch with Ateneo in the second round. For now, he's determined to put his off night behind and shift his focus to the Bulldogs' next assignment.
"I'm just thinking about Adamson next, trying to bounce back, be a better player, be a better team, and have better chemistry with my teammates," he said. "This is part of being an athlete, the ups and downs. I just really need to be consistent. I will definitely bounce back."