Shaun Ildefonso’s wish was finally granted when Yeng Guiao was tasked to handle Rain or Shine in the Commissioner’s Cup of the Philippine Basketball Association.
Ildefonso, the son of two-time PBA Most Valuable Player Danny Ildefonso, revealed that playing for Guiao has been his lifelong dream knowing that his coaching style and motivation can help him become a better player.
“Actually, before I got drafted, my dad was telling me that he hopes I would end up with Coach Yeng’s team,” said Ildefonso in his interview with Non-Stop Sports podcast late Tuesday.
“He said I’m a good fit to Coach Yeng’s system because he knows my confidence will get a big boost if I play for him.”
The elder Ildefonso and Guiao shared an on-court rivalry.
Danny, one of the league’s 40 Greatest Players, used to play for San Miguel Beer and Meralco while Guiao mentored rag-tag squads like Red Bull, Air21, Rain or Shine and NLEX en route to becoming one of the best and well-respected coaches in the league.
Now, the young Ildefonso relishes the chance playing for Guiao, who took over as Elasto Painters mentor at the start of the tournament after five years of handling the Road Warriors.
“Coach Yeng has that intimidating factor, but he never really intimidated his players,” said Ildefonso, who wrapped up his collegiate career with National University.
“I was raised strong by my parents. We just rise to the challenge. So, when I heard that Coach Yeng is coming over to coach us, I was really excited.”
Ildefonso said that he is looking forward to learning from Guiao, not just on the court, but off the court as well.
“I really believe that he has a penchant for molding his players and I’ve also heard that he is a good life coach,” Ildefonso added, referring to the seven-time champion mentor.
“I really look up to those things, not just being mentored by a good basketball coach, but in life as well. When you have a coach like him, you will be motivated to get better.”
Ildefonso added that he is not worried despite his limited minutes on the floor.
Aside from Ildefonso, Guiao is banking on other young guns like Gian Mamuyac, Rey Nambatac and Matt Nieto to carry the cudgels for the Elasto Painters.
In fact, the only holdovers from Guiao’s previous era at Rain or Shine are Beau Belga, Gabe Norwood and Jewel Ponferrada.
But Ildefonso, doesn’t mind, saying that he will act like a sponge who will absorb everything being taught to him by Guiao and the Rain or Shine veterans.
“As good as the veterans being the leaders, they also follow. They know that to be a good leader, you must first be a good follower,” he said.
“That’s why our team is solid. The way we bounced back from a loss and coming off a win, we’re very matured. I’m sure we’ll be better in a month or two under Coach Yeng.”
“He told me to come out excited every day in practice and if ever I learned something, it makes his job more fulfilling knowing that players like us were able to learn something,” he said.
