Draft:Dave Ildefonso

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Dave Ildefonso
No. 1 – Abra Solid North Weavers
PositionShooting guard
LeagueMPBL
Personal information
NationalityFilipino
Listed height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Career information
High schoolAteneo
CollegeNational-U
Ateneo
PBA draft2024: 1st round, 5th overall pick
Selected by the NorthPort Batang Pier
Playing career2022–present
Career history
2022–2024Suwon KT Sonicboom
2025–presentAbra Solid North Weavers
Career highlights
  • UAAP champion (2022)

Sean Dave Ildefonso (born April 14, 2000) is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Abra Solid North Weavers of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL). He is the younger child of PBA great Danny Ildefonso, thus he is nicknamed "Dave I" in reference to "Danny I".[1]

Ildefonso played for the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eaglets in high school before transferring to National University in 2018 to play for the Bulldogs. In 2020, he went back to Ateneo where we would play the rest of his collegiate career.

He then began his professional career in 2023 in the Korean Basketball League (KBL), playing for the Suwon KT Sonicboom. In 2024, he was selected with the fifth overall pick by the NorthPort Batang Pier in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) season 49 draft. Ildefonso and NorthPort weren't able to agree on a contract, which eventually left Dave unsigned and getting picked up by the MPBL's Abra Weavers.

High school and college career

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In high school, Ildefonso was a member of the Ateneo Blue Eaglets, where he won the UAAP juniors championship in 2018 during Season 80, defeating National University's NU Bullpups in three games.[2]

Afterwards, he committed to playing for NU to begin his college career, where he joined his father, Danny Ildefonso, who is NU's assistant coach.[3] Two years later, in 2020, he went back to Ateneo where he won a championship in Season 85 in 2022, his final season with the Blue Eagles.[4] Ateneo coach Tab Baldwin praised Dave I for his defensive performance after the culminating game 3, saying "he never let that affect what he did defensively, what he did on the boards, what he did in terms of hustle, what he did in terms of motivation and leadership."[1]

Professional career

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Suwon KT Sonicboom (2023–2024)

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Before Ildefonso played his final year with Ateneo, he was contacted by teams from the B.League and Korean Basketball League to play overseas, but he declined any interest of playing for them at the time.[5] He was ready the following year, however, as Ildefonso entered the professional level with the KBL's Suwon KT Sonicboom in 2023.[6][7] He was later replaced by Filipino-Italian Dalph Panopio as the team's Asian import.[8]

Contract issues with NorthPort Batang Pier (2024)

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On July 2, 2024, Ildefonso declared for the PBA season 49 draft, where he would go on to be selected by the NorthPort Batang Pier with the fifth pick.[8] Despite optimism between both Ildefonso and NorthPort,[9][10] they weren't able to agree to a deal, despite being initially offered a two-year max contract by the team. NorthPort head coach Bonnie Tan also denied of the possibility of the team trading him out.[11] Danny I, who became an assistant coach for the Converge FiberXers, commented on a Facebook discussion regarding his son's contract situation, specifically mentioning "farm team" in his comments. The older Ildefonso would later be fined ₱20,000 by commissioner Willie Marcial.[12]

Abra Solid North Weavers (2025–present)

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Ildefonso's fallout with NorthPort meant that he was left unsigned, and on February 7, 2025, he signed a deal with the Abra Weavers of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League,[13] with his contract reported to be worth ₱420,000 per month for three years.[14] Dave, in an interview with SPIN.ph, stated that he still wanted to play in the PBA, hoping that he can settle on a deal with NorthPort after his MPBL stint due to the team still having his PBA rights.[15] Ildefonso made his debut for Abra on March 9, 2025, the opening day of the 2025 MPBL season.[16]

Personal life

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Dave is also the younger brother of Shaun Ildefonso, who currently plays for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.[8][17]

References

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  1. ^ a b Leongson, Randolph B. (December 22, 2022). "Baldwin admires Dave I transformation from scorer to Ateneo's 'heart'". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  2. ^ Sarmenta, Yoyo (March 2, 2018). "Ateneo outlasts NU to claim UAAP Juniors crown". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  3. ^ Terrado, Reuben (March 9, 2018). "Eaglets standout Dave Ildefonso moves to NU to join dad Danny I, brother Shaun". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  4. ^ Isaga, JR (January 12, 2020). "Dave Ildefonso leaves NU to play for Ateneo". RAPPLER. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  5. ^ Li, Matthew (June 7, 2022). "Despite Samsung Seoul interest, Dave Ildefonso to remain in Ateneo". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  6. ^ Ulanday, John Bryan. "Dave Ildefonso officially joins KBL's Suwon KT Sonicboom". Philstar.com. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  7. ^ Ramos, Gerry (October 3, 2024). "Suwon KT coach says Dave Ildefonso 'couldn't capitalize on opportunities'". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  8. ^ a b c Matel, Philip (July 2, 2024). "Dave Ildefonso follows in father Danny's footsteps, declares for PBA draft". RAPPLER. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  9. ^ "Picked at top five, Dave Ildefonso out to repay NorthPort's trust". Spin.ph. July 15, 2024. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  10. ^ Bacnis, Justine (August 14, 2024). "NorthPort optimistic as Dave Ildefonso engages in contract talks". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  11. ^ Ramos, Gerry (August 11, 2024). "Mystery deepens as Dave Ildefonso yet to get in touch with NorthPort". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  12. ^ Bacnis, Justine (August 28, 2024). "PBA hits Danny Ildefonso with fine for comments on son Dave's NorthPort offer". Tiebreakter Times. Retrieved August 28, 2024.
  13. ^ Ganglani, Naveen (February 7, 2025). "Dave Ildefonso Joins Abra Weavers in MPBL". ALL-STAR. Retrieved February 8, 2025.
  14. ^ Sayson, Homer D. (February 11, 2025). "COLUMN: Flawed PBA rookie salary scale to blame for Dave I impasse". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  15. ^ "Dave Ildefonso insists no grudges with NorthPort". Spin.ph. February 10, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  16. ^ Times, Tiebreaker (March 9, 2025). "MPBL: Art Dela Cruz puts on show for Ilagan Isabela as Dave Ildefonso stars in Abra's strong start". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
  17. ^ Ramos, Gerry (April 29, 2024). "Shaun Ildefonso, Jhonard Clarito signed to fresh RoS two-year deals". Spin.ph. Retrieved April 13, 2025.
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