PBA: Danny Ildefonso ‘farm team’ remark lights fire under NorthPort

NorthPort coach Bonnie Tan and the coaching staff during the PBA Governors’ Cup. –PBA IMAGES

NorthPort coach Bonnie Tan felt the comments made by Converge assistant Danny Ildefonso lit a fire under his team and keyed Thursday’s blowout victory in the PBA Governors’ Cup.

Tan didn’t hide his disappointment over comments made by Ildefonso, who used the words “farm team” when he responded to social media posts relating the contract situation between the Batang Pier and his son Dave.

READ: PBA: Arvin Tolentino drops 51 points as NorthPort routs Converge

“We addressed that topic before the game and I think we were all challenged with that statement,” Tan said after NorthPort’s 135-109 win at Ninoy Aquino Stadium highlighted by Arvin Tolentino’s career-high 51 points.

Joshua Munzon, Jio Jalalon, Damie Cuntapay and William Navarro were also key in NorthPort’s lopsided triumph.

The elder Ildefonso was fined P20,000 by PBA commissioner Willie Marcial for comments detrimental to the league as the basketball great is a member of a PBA ballclub.

READ: PBA: William Navarro confident he can deliver with more minutes

Incidentally, the fine came two days before the two sides met in their Group A tilt.

Both NorthPort and the younger Ildefonso are at a standstill as the two parties have yet to come to terms on a deal.

Dave was chosen fifth overall by the Batang Pier in the Rookie Draft last July, but it was during the Media Day held two weeks before the opener where Tan opened up about the impasse.