FORMER two-time league MVP Danny Ildefonso will lead a bumper crop of players who will be made available to newcomers Kia Motors and Blackwater Sports in the coming dispersal draft.
Meralco team manager Butch Antonio confirmed to Spin.ph on Friday that Ildefonso will be left out of the list of protected players of the Bolts ahead of the July 18 dispersal draft.
“Yes, it was agreed upon by the coaching staff. Danny I will be part of those players who will not be protected by the team,” said Antonio.
Ildefonso, 37, was one of the league’s biggest stars since the late nineties who helped San Miguel Beer to eight championships in a 15-year stint with the team.
However, the former National University star has seen little playing time since moving to Meralco last season, averaging just 3.10 points and 2.19 rebounds in 12.33 minutes of action.
Ildefonso had told Spin.ph that he feels he has two more good years left in his career and is undergoing a conditioning program while waiting for his next PBA contract.
[See Ildefonso not sitting around while waiting for next PBA contract]
“It was a hard decision to make for us, but we were forced kasi andami rin naming players sa pool,” said Antonio, who will also drop another veteran in Paul Artadi to the dispersal pool.
Meralco is now coached by Norman Black after the coaching shuffle done by the teams under the Manny V. Pangilinan bloc in the league, which also includes Talk 'N Text and newcomer NLEX.
Meanwhile, here is a list of players likely to be relegated to the dispersal draft. The list is unofficial but includes players confirmed to be made available in the draft pool.
ALASKA ACES
Ryan Buenafe
Ping Exciminiano
Nic Belasco*
Paolo Bugia*
SAN MIGUEL
Samuel Marata
Jojo Duncil
SAN MIG
Isaac Holstein
Ronnie Matias
JR Cawaling*
Lester Alvarez*
Ken Bono*
BARAKO BULL
Bonbon Custodio
Jason Deutschman
Hans Thiele
Magi Sison*
Rob Labagala*
Roger Yap*
TALK N TEXT
Jai Reyes
Eric Salamat
Robby Celiz*
Jimbo Aquino*
MERALCO BOLTS
Danny Ildefonso
Paul Artadi
Anthony Bringas
Nelbert Omolon*
Chris Timberlake*
BRGY GINEBRA
Jens Knuttel
Bryan Faundo
RAIN OR SHINE
TY Tang
Jonathan Uyloan
NLEX WARRIORS
Mike Burtscher
Wynne Arboleda
Chito Jayme
GLOBALPORT
Jewel Ponferada
Val Acuna
*already in the team’s unprotected list during the last Governors’ Cup
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