Though things did not work the way he anticipated, Dave Ildefonso is thrilled to declare himself available for the upcoming PBA Draft.

The 24-year-old forward revealed his plan to join the upcoming PBA Rookie Draft on Tuesday night, July 2, shortly after Strong Group-Pilipinas’ open practice and media day in Mandaluyong. 

Two years since he pursued the pro rank abroad shortly after capping his UAAP career in Ateneo with a championship in Season 85, Ildefonso is excited to be back on the local hoops scene where his father and older brother Danny and Shaun Ildefonso are actively involved. 

 “I expect that the competition’s gonna be tough. Kasi PBA is full of really, really skilled and talented players. Coming in as a rookie, kahit I played professional na, I’m still a rookie here in the PBA if ever. I expect na magiging physical sila sa akin, they’re gonna try to throw me off the course, syempre I’m just gonna stick to what I know and listen to my support group pa rin,” Ildefonso said. 

Ildefonso played in the Korean Basketball League for one and a half seasons with the Suwon KT Sonicboom.  

But life happened while he was busy making other plans, the Filipino import failed to attract any extension from his debuting club team or any more offers within the Korean league which prompted him to come home and continue his quest for a first pro title. 

Additionally, Ildefonso was more than glad to accept Strong Group's invitation to be part of the squad heading to the 43rd William Jones Cup which coincided at the conclusion of his overseas stint. 

“Well, honestly kasi, full transparency lang mas gugustuhin ko pa rin na maglaro sa abroad. Pero ‘yun nga, no offers eh,” Ildefonso said. 

“Hindi naman ako plastik na magsasabi na ‘oh, I had offers.’ Pero [biglang] magp-PBA ako. Hindi ko naman sasabihin ‘yun eh. I'm an upfront guy na sabihin kong wala akong offers,” he added. 

Initially, Ildefonso was planning on staying overseas until he was at least 29 and then come home to play in the PBA to continue his father’s legacy and eventually settle down here. 

When asked about his team prospects, Ildefonso mentioned a couple of squads but ultimately narrowed it down to Converge, which is picking first in the upcoming draft on July 14, San Miguel and Rain or Shine.

 “I would wanna go to Converge syempre. Kasi [there’s] a lot of Ateneo guys there and my dad’s there. Also, Rain or Shine sana [since] my brother’s there and coach Yeng [Guiao]. Idol ko ‘yun kasi palagi kong napapanood since bata pa lang ako, and you know, San Miguel kasi wala lang [for the] heck of it. Parang si tatay noon San Miguel, nice lang siguro na magka-jersey ako na Ildefonso with San Miguel,” he said. 

With renewed excitement surrounding the PBA following Meralco’s historic title victory over the fancied San Miguel side in the season-ending Philippine Cup, the 6-foot Ildefonso is looking to make the most of any opportunity wherever that takes him. 

“It’s really nice na Meralco, which has always been there since the early years of the PBA [was] able to actually go to the finals and win it this time,” Ildefonso concluded.