WAG MO NA AKO ISIPIN, GAWIN MO | Lakay Danny I. bares Jarin's words of wisdom after getting the win as NU's stand-in mentor

Once a legend for the former whipping boys, Danny Ildefonso made the most of helping the current breed of Bulldogs, leading National U to a victory over UST.

By Kevin Estrada

SAN JUAN -- After Jamike Jarin was tossed in Wednesday's loss to Ateneo, National U were searching for answers on who will fill up the coaching cudgels when they take on UST yesterday to continue its push for postseason contention in the UAAP Men's Basketball tournament.

Enter basketball's Lakay, Danny Ildefonso. The former King Bulldog did not have even a head coaching experience when he went back to his alma mater as the lead deputy to Jarin this season.

However, he made it through the entire forty minutes as the stand-in mentor, knocking the Tigers out of the postseason contention with a 91-83 win.

With his humility in full display, Ildefonso was grateful to the current batch of Bulldogs after he was picked by the former Batang Gilas tactician.

"First of all, thank you sa mga players ko. Actually, may instruction kami, pero sila pa rin naman ang maglalaro para sa amin", said a hoarse-voiced Ildefonso who opened the post-game conference minutes after defeating UST.

Coming to the grips in calling the shots for the very first time, Ildefonso said that he was rattled to see the difference of it from his playing days where he won back-to-back MVPs with San Miguel.

However, he was assured by Jarin to coach the team in his own way, when asked about the specific instructions to him before the game.

"To be honest, sabi ni coach Jamike: Coach D, wag mo ako isipin. Bahala ka magcoach dyan. Kung ano ang tingin mong kung saan ka nababagay, kung anong tingin mo mapapanalo yung team, gawin mo. Wag mo ako isipin. Kaya grabe yung binigay ni coach Jamike sa akin na experience."

For him, his fellow assistants made his job looked easy especially in the second half, as he made sure that they kept their communication lines open.

To cap it off, he hopes that he made his former mentor, the late Sonny Paguia proud on making the most of probably the only game that he will lead the Bulldogs as the lead tactician.

"Kung andito lang yun, siguro nagtatatalon."

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