Ateneo standout Dave Ildefonso, being guarded by UP’s James Spencer and Carl Tamayo in last month’s UAAP men’s basketball Finals, believes that his stint in Korea will not only benefit himself but also to give his family pride. UAAP photo
Ildefonso raring to play in Korea
DAVE Ildefonso is looking forward for his overseas foray after winning a UAAP men’s basketball championship for Ateneo last month.
The 22-year-old Ildefonso over the weekend has formally joined the Suwon KT Sonicboom in the Korean Basketball League.
“When the opportunity to play in Korea opened itself up to me, I was overwhelmed with mixed emotions-excitement, fear. But that is a healthy fear. It is the kind of fear that, when you overcome it, will make you better & stronger. So I asked myself what’s best not just for me but for my family & people around me,” said Ildefonso through sports management agency Hype Sports PH’s social media accounts yesterday.
In his final season for the Blue Eagles where he was part of the league’s Mythical Team, Ildefonso averaged 12 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game.
The son of PBA great Danny, Ildefonso’s move to play in the KBL will make him better in terms of his growth as a player as well as his availability with the Philippine team.
Ildefonso joins former Gilas teammates Rhenz Abando, SJ Belangel, and Rjay Abarrientos in the growing list of Filipino basketball players who have taken their talents to Korea.
“That is when the decision became easier to make. I decided to take the challenge of playing in Korea. I believe that my stint in Korea will not only benefit me but will give my family pride,” Ildefonso said.
“It will be great for both our national basketball program and our professional league for young guys like me to experience first-hand the basketball culture of other countries, and eventually share that knowledge back home. It will be great for basketball fans too, they can watch as we try to prove we can play with the best in our continent,” he added.
Ildefonso will be Suwon’s Asian Quota Player, as the club hopes to improve its current 13-15 record in the regular season.
He will most likely play his first KBL game on January 19 against the Seoul Samsung Thunders.
“With this, I would like to thank everyone who made this basketball journey not just possible, but also with me. My family, for their unending support, the Ateneo and NU programs and the coaches who I’ve played under. My former teammates. The fans who have supported me all the way,” said Ildefonso.
AUTHOR PROFILE
Now or never for Dragons
