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NU's Ildefonso continues to play beyond his years

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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/2018/sports/10/22/20181022-dave-ildefonso.jpg"/><figcaption>NU rookie Dave Ildefonso. Richard Esguerra, ABS-CBN Sports</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines – With National University (NU) badly needing a basket against University of Santo Tomas on Sunday, they went to one of the youngest members of their team.Clinging to a 57-56 lead with under five minutes left, NU rookie Dave Ildefonso wound up sparking an 8-2 run that gave the Bulldogs a more comfortable 65-58 advantage with less than three minutes to go.He had a bucket in transition as well as a three-point play in the run: in both instances, he overpowered fellow rookie CJ Cansino of UST to get to the hoop.The Bulldogs would go on to win, <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/10/21/18/uaap-nu-bulldogs-put-an-end-to-usts-winning-streak" target="_blank">69-61</a>, to improve to 3-6 in the men&#x27;s basketball tournament.Afterward, the 18-year-old Ildefonso would admit that playing against Cansino – one of the top contenders for Rookie of the Year honors in Season 81 – definitely fired him up.&quot;He does really bring out the best in me,&quot; said Ildefonso of their match-up.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/10/21/18/uaap-usts-cansino-continues-to-bring-out-the-best-in-nus-ildefonso">FULL STORY: UST&#x27;s Cansino continues to bring out the best in NU&#x27;s Ildefonso</a></li></ul>The former Ateneo Blue Eaglet finished with 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 3 assists, despite playing just under 23 minutes because of foul trouble.It was just the latest in a series of strong performances for Ildefonso, who is averaging 15.0 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 2.7 assists as a rookie.There have been some subpar performances from the forward, to be sure. But for the most part, Ildefonso has been playing with a maturity that belies his young age.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://sports.abs-cbn.com/uaap/news/2018/10/22/nu-s-ria-nabalan-first-ever-women-s-player-week-48699">READ: NU&#x27;s Ria Nabalan is first-ever Women&#x27;s Player of the Week</a></li></ul>&quot;That&#x27;s my role eh,&quot; said Ildefonso. &quot;Beyond my years &#x27;yung laro – I can&#x27;t show that I&#x27;m 18 years old.&quot;&quot;I have to show them that I&#x27;m more mature than what is on paper. I have to really attack more para ma-open &#x27;yung... mas maka-create ako at mas makapasa ako sa ibang teammates ko,&quot; he added.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/10/18/18/uaap-amid-losses-rookie-ildefonso-ready-to-keep-shining-for-nu-bulldogs">READ MORE: Amid losses, rookie Ildefonso ready to keep shining for NU Bulldogs</a></li></ul>For NU head coach Jamike Jarin, having a player of Ildefonso&#x27;s caliber is a tremendous luxury – even as he makes it clear that the rookie&#x27;s success remains dependent on his teammates.&quot;We all saw what he did,&quot; Jarin said. &quot;He made the crucial baskets. But if Troy (Rike) wasn&#x27;t sealing, or if Troy wasn&#x27;t in the right position, he won&#x27;t be making those shots. Again, it is always a collective effort.&quot;&quot;But of course, having a Dave Ildefonso, an 18-year-old that can dominate like that, well. I just looked good there, di ba,&quot; he added.Ildefonso and the Bulldogs return to action on Saturday, when they take on defending champion Ateneo de Manila University.<div>For more sports coverage, visit the <a href="http://sports.abs-cbn.com/" target="_blank">ABS-CBN Sports</a> website.</div>

With National University (NU) badly needing a basket against University of Santo Tomas on Sunday, they went to one of the youngest members of their team.

With National University (NU) badly needing a basket against University of Santo Tomas on Sunday, they went to one of the youngest members of their team.

NU's Ildefonso continues to play beyond his years

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NU's Ildefonso continues to play beyond his years

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Oct 22, 2018 03:59 PM PHT

Read More:

UAAP

UAAP Season 81

NU Bulldogs

Dave Ildefonso

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