On an ordinary Tuesday, Pia Ildefonso achieved a personal milestone, displaying unyielding determination and remarkable talent that left fans in sheer admiration.
It was a match that would be etched in the annals of the sport as Farm Fresh clashed with the reigning champions Creamline at the Filoil EcoOil Centre. Although the Foxies ultimately succumbed to defeat, the game unfolded as an epic four-set thriller, with final scores of 21-25, 25-21, 20-25, and 22-25.
For Pia Ildefonso, this day stood out as unique in her volleyball career. Not only did she secure a spot in the starting lineup, but she also played the most minutes of her entire life on the court. It was a performance to be remembered.
Accumulating an impressive 12 points, including two service aces, and managing 11 excellent receptions, Ildefonso reached double digits for the first time in a single game, a feat she attributed to her time at Ateneo.
"I was so surprised that Coach placed me in the starting six. To be honest, this is the longest game I've ever played in my entire life. Even during my time at Ateneo, I never had a game that lasted this long," beamed Ildefonso.
"I'm extremely grateful and I can hardly believe it because I scored 12 points, the first time I ever reached double digits in my entire life. So, I'm super happy, super grateful, and just overwhelmed," she continued, clearly taken aback by the moment.
Pia Ildefonso's journey began during her high school years at the National University Nazareth School. She continued her journey at Ateneo, playing both indoor and beach volleyball for two seasons. However, she decided to sit out the indoor season for Ateneo in Season 85 to "confront life's challenges outside the realm of sports."
In June 2023, Ildefonso joined Farm Fresh, a team poised to make its mark in the PVL. During the previous Invitational Conference, she only made a single appearance out of the Foxies' five matches, contributing just two points in limited playing time. But when the opportunity arose, she seized it with unwavering determination, largely thanks to the trust bestowed upon her by Coach Jerry and setter Louie Romero.
"I'm incredibly thankful for the trust, especially from Coach Jerry, and, most notably, from Louie because she's the setter who I truly appreciate. She communicates with me and consistently tells me, 'Pi, be ready because I'm going to set you up.'"
Farm Fresh's challenge to the Creamline dynasty did not go unnoticed, with applause and admiration coming from the Cool Smashers' fans in attendance. For Pia Ildefonso, this match represented a dream come true – an opportunity to face off against her idols' team.
In the previous conference, Farm Fresh did not cross paths with Creamline due to being in different pools, making this their inaugural encounter. Ildefonso shared her sentiments about the moment: "Given that our opponent was Creamline, the team we idolize and look up to, it was just pure joy."
"There was no pressure on us, but during the game, while I was on the court, I could genuinely feel the determination. We all wanted to contribute, we all wanted to secure a win, even if it was just one."
