CHICAGO - Quietly, under the backdrop of the Commissioner's Cup quarterfinals, the PBA lost a blue-chip talent and potential star to a rival league last week.
After months of hard ball, often contentious negotiations, Dave Ildefonso, the No. 5 overall pick of last September's Season 49 PBA Rookie Draft, has signed with the Abra Weavers of the MPBL.
Although the 24-year old guard has maintained wanting to play in the PBA and follow the footsteps of his dad and brother, the pivot to Manny Pacquia's group was an easy decision to make.
READ Dave Ildefonso insists no grudges with NorthPort
His contract with the Weavers is worth P420,000 a month for three years, a person with knowledge of the situation told me on Tuesday afternoon.
Had he signed with NorthPort, the team which drafted him, the former Ateneo Blue Eagle would have made only P200,000 a month in the first year and as much as P300,000 monthly in Year Two.
In the PBA, players taken in the Top Three of the draft are eligible to receive the veteran's max of P420,000 a month while the fourth pick and beyond are limited to the rookie scale cap that borders between P200,000 and 250k a month.
NO MONEY, NO HONEY.
Which is crazy given that the No. 3 and No. 4 picks are basically interchangeable and yet the disparity in pay is more than twice.
Back in 2021, on the heels of an overseas exodus of high-profile college stars led by Thirdy Ravena and Juan Gomez De Liano, the PBA planned on increasing the rookie salary cap in order to be "more competitive" against the Japan B.League and other rival entities.
READ: PBA set to raise rookie salary cap amid players exodus
But like a politician's words, that proposal, which was supposed to be tackled by a study group then led by Terrafirma governor Bobby Rosales, ended up at the altar of broken promises.
To insist that Ildefonso's move is a money grab is deft tone. Basketball players' careers have a limited life span that necessitates them into making the most hay while they're at their peaks.
You don't have to look past Kai Sotto to know the perils hoopers navigate through each time they are on the court.
Beyond the cash dash, Ildefonso's case, like so many others as well, is also about respect and appreciation. He is a proven asset, one who has international experience in the KBL, why would he take P200k when he can feast on P420k?
If it wants to mitigate the ongoing threat of collegiate stars taking their talents elsewhere, the PBA needs to increase the rookie salary cap.
Paying the Top 12 picks in the draft the veteran max will be a wonderful place to start.
MIKEY AND DWIGHT UPDATES.
After his stint with Strong Group Athletes, former TNT gunner Mikey Williams has remained in Manila as his camp endeavours to find him a landing spot and a fresh start.
Although his performance in Dubai didn't exactly turn out like an American Idol audition, Mikey did show flashes of the brilliance that made him a two-time PBA champion and a two-time Finals MVP.
As long as he can shoot there will be a market for him. Per a source, an announcement can come as soon as next week,
Look, TNT, which holds Williams' rights, is desperate for a big man, an asset that Converge is teeming with. The FiberXers, meanwhile, need a closer of Mikey's caliber.
It's a swap made in basketball heaven.
DWIGHT IS ALL RIGHT
Meanwhile, after a brief scare and a surrounding mystery, Dwight Ramos is just fine.
Following an early exit in last Sunday's game in Japan, I am told that Dwight is dealing with an ankle injury.
"He should be good, it's minor, " the player's camp told me via text message. ,
Ramos will suit up for Gilas in the Qatar friendlies and the upcoming Fiba window.
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