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UAAP: NU Bulldogs give 'Lakay' a win in his coaching debut

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Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/tvpatrol/10/20/uaap2.jpg"/><figcaption>Danny Ildefonso (R) called the shots for NU against UST. Arvin Lim, <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/uaap/basketball/photos">ABS-CBN Sports</a></figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines – Already one of the greatest basketball players in Philippine history, Danny Ildefonso took his first step towards a potential coaching career when he called the shots for National University (NU) in their UAAP Season 80 game against University of Santo Tomas (UST) on Sunday.It was successful coaching debut for Ildefonso, as the Bulldogs fended off UST, 91-83, for their fourth win of the season.&quot;Lakay,&quot; a two-time PBA Most Valuable Player and eight-time champion, was tapped by NU head coach Jamike Jarin as his substitute for Sunday, as he had to serve a one-game suspension following his ejection last Wednesday in their loss to Ateneo de Manila University.&quot;Sabi ni Coach Jamike, &#x27;Coach D, huwag mo ako isipin. Bahala ka mag-coach diyan. Kung ano &#x27;yung tingin mo, kung saan ka nababagay, kung ano &#x27;yung tingin mong maipapanalo ng team, huwag mo ako isipin,&#x27;&quot; Ildefonso shared after the game.&quot;Grabe &#x27;yung binigay sa akin ni Coach Jamike na experience ngayon,&quot; he added.Nevertheless, Ildefonso admitted that it was not all smooth-sailing for him, especially at the start. &quot;Kanina, noong first half, medyo natataranta ako eh,&quot; he said.&quot;Ibang-iba talaga ang player sa coach eh,&quot; continued Ildefonso, who retired in 2015 after a glittering 17-year professional career. &quot;As a player, kapag binigay sa akin &#x27;yung bola, alam ko na ang gagawin ko.&quot;&quot;Pero dito,&quot; he explained, &quot;ang daming players na kailangan tignan, at &#x27;yung kalaban pa.&quot;All things considered, Ildefonso was brutally honest with himself when asked how he would rate his debut as a head coach.&quot;To be honest, mababa pa ako,&quot; he said, even though NU co-captain Matt Salem insists that he was a &quot;10 out of 10.&quot; &quot;Wala pa,&quot; Ildefonso stressed.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/uaap/news/2017/10/22/nu-eliminates-ust-playoff-contention-32600">(READ: NU eliminates UST from playoff contention)</a></li></ul>Indeed, Ildefonso readily gave the credit for the win to the NU players, as well as to their coaching staff -- Jeff Napa, Chico Manabat, John Ferriols, Ricky Reyes, and Cedrick Labing-isa. Their message to the Bulldogs at the halftime break was instrumental in helping them pull away from the gutsy Growling Tigers.&quot;Very busy sila na nagbibigay ng input at kung anong kailangan gawin sa loob, kaya naging madali sa akin &#x27;yung sa second half. &#x27;Yung mga assistant coaches, sinasabihan ako palagi,&quot; Ildefonso said.Napa, a consultant for the team who is also the head coach of Colegio de San Juan de Letran, was particularly helpful, and he was often seen at the sidelines discussing with Ildefonso regarding plays or substitution patterns. And even though he was not there, Jarin was still given due credit for the win as he served as inspiration for the players on Sunday.&quot;Hinihiling ko lang na ibigay nila &#x27;yung best nila para kay Coach Jamike,&quot; said Ildefonso. &quot;Pinaalala ko lang na kailangan talaga manalo ngayon, dahil malaki ang chance namin para sa No. 4.&quot;&quot;At sabi ko nga sa kanila, na huwag naman sana sa atin manalo ang UST,&quot; added the Demolition Man, referring to the Growling Tigers&#x27; woeful 0-9 record heading into Sunday&#x27;s showdown.At the end of the day, Ildefonso was simply thankful to have gotten a win, but the experience has not yet enticed him to pursue a head coaching position.&quot;Wala akong (ambition) sa coaching. Wala pa, to be honest,&quot; he said. &quot;Alam naman &#x27;yan ni Coach Jamike.&quot;&quot;Pero, tingnan natin kung ano ang plano sa atin ng Diyos,&quot; Ildefonso added. &quot;Siya naman ang nakakaalam. Pero sa akin naman kasi, happy pa ako sa assistant and skills coach.&quot;For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com">ABS-CBN Sports website</a>.

Danny Ildefonso took his first step towards a potential coaching career when he called the shots for NU in their UAAP Season 80 game against UST on Sunday.

Danny Ildefonso took his first step towards a potential coaching career when he called the shots for NU in their UAAP Season 80 game against UST on Sunday.

UAAP: NU Bulldogs give 'Lakay' a win in his coaching debut

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UAAP: NU Bulldogs give 'Lakay' a win in his coaching debut

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published October 22, 2017 08:08 PM PHT

Read More:

UAAP

basketball

NU Bulldogs

Danny Ildefonso

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