After his two-year stint in the KBL, Dave Ildefonso is set to join the upcoming PBA Rookie Draft.
Dave Ildefonso has announced that he will join the PBA Season 49 Rookie Draft set on July 14.
Ildefonso, who will play for Strong Group Athletics in the upcoming 43rd Jones Cup, confirmed the development himself during the team's media day Tuesday, July 2. He admitted that there were no offers after his stint in the Korean Basketball League with Suwon KT Sonicboom ended this past season.
The 24-year-old guard has yet to file his application, but he's already set with his decision to play in the Philippines anew. Once he makes it to the PBA, face offs against his father, Danny, who is an assistant coach for the Converge Fiberxers, and his older brother Shaun of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters are possibly on the horizon, unless he teams up with one of them.
“Wala kasi akong offers abroad eh. So, syempre, ako, it's been a dream naman of mine rin. Siyempre, ever since kay tatay naglalaro sa PBA and everything, so gusto ko rin ma-follow yung footsteps niya and ma-try ma-achieve yung mga na-achieve niya,” Ildefonso told reporters.
“Siyempre, gusto ko rin ma-kalaro ako at makalaban si kuya [Shaun],” he added.
In his final season in Suwon, Ildefonso averaged 4.4 points, 1.0 rebounds, and 0.9 assists in 10.6 minutes of action.
While Ildefonso and the Sonicboom tried to negotiate a contract, the KBL squad decided to sign Fil-Italian guard Dalph Panopio for the new season.
The former Ateneo Blue Eagles star likewise admitted having a hard time adjusting to life in the KBL.
“Number one talaga, language barrier kasi, sa Korea may coach ka na Korean tapos, may translator ka na nag-English. So, let's say, in real time, game time, nagkamali ka tapos kinakausap ka ng coach kaso kinakausap rin ako ng translator,” said Ildefonso.
The 6-foot-guard is expected to be among the top picks in the upcoming draft.
But if he had a choice where to go, Ildefonso bared wanting to play for Converge, Rain or Shine, or the San Miguel Beermen—teams that the Ildefonsos have had a history with.
Ildefonso, though, is also keeping his options open should another chance to play abroad open up in the future.
“Siguro for me, it's always open kasi siyempre it's a different feeling to be able to represent your country individually, especially in the pro leagues abroad. So if ever na masign man ako after the draft and may interest ako after my first rookie contract, siyempre, mas gugustin ko pa rin makapunta sa abroad,” said Ildefonso.