He ultimately decided to return to Ateneo to win a title for the team.
Not one, not two, not three — but four offers to play basketball abroad were sent out to Dave Ildefonso after Season 84.
Of the four, two were from Korea and two from Japan, Ildefonso revealed in an interview on the Shoot First podcast. It’s not surprising to hear that given the recent exodus of both PBA and collegiate players in the country.
But what exactly made Ildefonso stay for another season with Ateneo?
In the interview, which was taped after the Blue Eagles won against the Adamson Soaring Falcons in the Final Four, Ildefonso bared that he felt guilty if he left right after losing the UAAP Season 84 Men's Basketball Finals. It was Ildefonso’s first year with the Blue Eagles after transferring from the National University Bulldogs.
“Talo eh, tsaka bumalik ako ng Ateneo para manalo, nakakahiya naman na dumaan lang one year tapos talo pa,” said Ildefonso. “Sabi ko parang hindi naman puwede na ganito, parang gusto kong bawiin sarili ko. Gusto ko maging winner.”
It has not been the smoothest of seasons for Ildefonso, but despite this, he has been leading the Blue Eagles in scoring, averaging 12.1 points per game after the elimination round. He also made it to the Season 85 Mythical Team.
The true test for Ildefonso, though, will be Game 3 as UP and Ateneo are set to lock horns on Monday to see who will come out as this year's champions. Of course, being Ildefonso’s last season in Ateneo, he will hope to bring the title back and cement his place among the Blue Eagle greats.