NOW that the Converge FiberXers have secured the signing rights of MPBL Rookie of the Year-MVP candidate Dave Ildefonso, will he be suiting up for his new team in the PBA anytime soon?
Not so fast.
Sources told SPIN.ph that may not be the case, saying Ildefonso might just opt to honor his two-season contract with the Abra Solid North Weavers in the MPBL.
“Ewan ko lang kung lalaro agad si Dave sa Converge pero knowing the kid, he is professional enough to honor his contract with Abra,” said the source close to the former Ateneo star after his PBA signing rights were sent by Titan to Converge in exchange for the FiberXers' Kobe Monje and future first-round and second-round picks.
READ Dave Ildefonso finally traded from Titan Ultra to Converge
“Dave kasi doesn’t want to burn bridges. He is very professional, and he is a man of his word. So, if may contract siya with Abra, unless Abra will initiate the termination of his contract, he will honor that,” he added.
Though Abra team owner Rep JB Bernos has already stated that he will not clip the wings of any of his players, and even his staff, Ildefonso is reportedly dead set ion helping the Weavers earn their first-ever MPBL crown.
“Yun ang objective ni Dave ngayon. So, amidst the noise na he was already traded, I am sure Dave isn’t even allowing himself to be affected or be overwhelmed by his recent trade,” said the source.
Ildefonso failed to play a single minute in his rookie year in the PBA after negotiations for his rookie contract with the Northport Batang Pier, the team eventually bought by the Titan Ultra Giant Risers, hit a snag.
Sources told SPIN.ph that Ildefonso was only offered a P150,000 a month rookie contract, way below what other players drafted after him got from their respective teams.
At Abra, Ildefonso is said to be receiving around P400,000 to P800,000 a month.
“But money is not the issue for Dave. It’s how a team values him and recognizes his talent. Kita n'yo naman siguro gaano siya kabuhos lumaro sa Abra,” he said.
Ildefonso is averaging 18 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.7 steals through 31 games for Abra, which finished the MPBL regular season with 30-1 win-loss record.
“I believe if Abra wins this season championship, he might just stay longer with the Solid North Weavers,” the source explained.
Asked if Abra’s team owner has already been approached by Converge executives including team manager Jacob Lao, whose father Frank is a good friend of Rep Bernos, and FiberXers head coach and Pampanga governor Dennis Pineda, the source has a quick reply.
“Lagi naman nag-uusap mga bossing. Wala naming problema kay Cong Bernos yan. It’s just that I think Dave will be professional in his approach sa situation,” he said.
“Ang papasok lang sa isip ni Dave dyan and his family, ‘Who was there when he had problems with his PBA contract? Sino ang nag-lift ng spirit nya and gave him motivation to play better after his frustrating stint in the KBL? Hindi ba ang Abra?” said the source.
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