PBA Dispersal draft: Blackwater makes Danny I No.1

For the second time in his career, Danny Ildefonso was made the first overall choice in the Draft.

But this one wasn’t for rookies, though.

The former two-time MVP with San Miguel Beer yesterday was picked first by Blackwater Sports in the dispersal draft for the PBA’s two new expansion teams at Microtel Inn in Libis, Quezon City.

Ildefonso, who was picked first overall by Shell in the 1998 Rookie Draft, is obviously in the twilight of his career and was left unprotected by Meralco.

But his experience and legendary work ethic could work wonders for the Elite who will enter their first season in the league—together with KIA Motors—starting on Oct. 19.

“He has the experience and the name,” said Blackwater owner Dioceldo Sy of their choice of the 37-year-old Ildefonso, whom the ailing coach Ron Jacobs of San Miguel worked hard to trade for.

KIA made Reil Cervantes, a former Barangay Ginebra reserve who has been out of the league for at least two seasons, the second choice overall.

Alex Nuyles, JR Cawaling, Eddie Laure, Bryan Faundo, JP Erram, Paul Artadi, Gilbert Bulawan, Bam-bam Gamalinda, Chris Timberlake, Norman Gonzales and Rob Celiz were the others picked by Blackwater.

Mike Burtscher, Hans Thiele, Alvin Padilla, Jai Reyes, Paul Sanga, Angie Raymundo, Eder Saldua, Nic Belasco, LA Revilla, Joshua Webb and Chad Alonzo were the others picked by KIA assistant coach Glenn Capacio.

Interestingly, though, Rain or Shine big man Larry Rodriguez and San Mig Coffee’s Ronnie Matias, possibly the best available talents in their positions, were not picked by either teams because of their high salaries and long-term contracts.

The next avenue for Blackwater and KIA to come up with formidable teams for the coming season is the Rookie Draft on Aug. 24.

KIA will pick 11th overall, one turn ahead of Blackwater, before they switch places in the second round, with Blackwater owning the 21st pick overall.