PBA: Dave Ildefonso yet to sign contract with NorthPort

FILE–Northport draft Dave Ildefonso yet to sign a contract with his PBA team. –SGA PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Northport coach Bonnie Tan gave a short but stern update on the situation surrounding the Batang Pier and their pick Dave Ildefonso.

After Northport’s 101-95 loss to TNT in its first game of the PBA Governors’ Cup at Araneta Coliseum on Tuesday, Tan pondered why Ildefonso has yet to sign the contract offered by the Batang Pier following the 2024 Draft.

“Baka ayaw niya ‘yong offer namin na two-year max,” said a shrugging Tan while exiting the Big Dome after a tough loss.  “Baka ‘di acceptable sa kaniya.”

PBA: Dave Ildefonso ‘very excited’ to play for NorthPort

(Maybe he doesn’t want our offer of a two-year max. Maybe it isn’t acceptable for him.)

As of writing, Ildefonso is not part of Northport’s active roster. The Batang Pier selected the Ateneo product with the fifth pick of this year’s draft.

SCHEDULE: 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup elimination round

Before the start of the season, team governor Erick Arejola said the team has already offered the maximum contract for the former Korean Basketball League Filipino import.

“We offered him the maximum contract as the fifth pick and as a rookie and until now, he hasn’t signed… Hopefully, we can draw something,” said Arejola during the league’s preseason press conference.

In contrast to Ildefonso, the other Northport rookie Evan Nelle already saw action for Tan and company. He finished with three points, two rebounds and two assists in his debut.