Danny Ildefonso’s mentorship evident in Eboña’s career game

The mentorship from Danny Ildefonso is starting to bear fruit for Barkley Eboña as the rookie dropped a career-best 24 points in a 120-82 Alaska Aces victory over the Blackwater Elite on Tuesday, October 20. 

“We’re lucky and he’s lucky that he has coach Danny as a mentor,” said Alaska head coach Jeff Cariaso of Eboña.

“I told him, just listen to coach Danny and you’ll be okay.”

True enough, Eboña, who was only averaging 3 points per outing, exploded for 24 points – the most points scored by a rookie so far in this conference.

The fourth overall pick from Far Eastern University almost had a perfect night from the field as he finished on 10-of-11 shooting, scoring off dazzling spin moves from the post that were reminiscent of how the two-time PBA MVP Danny Ildefonso dominated the league back then.

Cariaso mentioned how Ildefonso took Eboña and other Alaska big men under his wing during the lockdown.

“Aside from the constant Zoom workouts that we were doing, coach Danny was always talking to him (Eboña),” added Cariaso.

“He would always make sure that in the workouts, he is addressing his bigs. Coach Danny really feels like they are his kids.”

“Alagang alaga sila ni coach Danny.” (Coach Danny takes good care of them.)

Cariaso also lauded the 6-foot-5 Eboña for his fight and described the rookie as “tough as nails.” 

“What I like about him is his fight. This kid is tough as nails. He’s still learning and understanding what it takes to be successful here in the PBA,” said the Alaska Aces mentor.

Eboña and the Aces will look to stretch their winning streak to 3 as they face the undefeated Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Thursday, October 22. – Martin Mendoza/Rappler.com