Ateneo star Dave Ildefonso ready to take hoops talent overseas

Dave Ildefonso is ready to embark on his new hoops journey (UAAP photo)

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles’ superstar small forward Dave Ildefonso will be heading overseas after winning the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball championship title.

Ildefonso already announced that he will be playing professional basketball overseas but is yet to confirm which league will he play for.

However, multiple basketball sources already hinted at Ildefonso’s arrival in the Korean Basketball League (KBL).

According to Inquirer Sports and Tiebreaker Times, Ildefonso already agreed to a contract with the Suwon KT SonicBooms in the next KBL playing conference.

However, specific details of the contract are yet to be announced but the sources added that Ildefonso will be given a two-year deal.

The six-foot-three swingman will be teaming up with PBA resident import Lester Prosper at Suwon KT with a current win-loss record of 7-14.

If verified, Ildefonso will be joining his fellow UAAP stars RJ Abarrientos, SJ Belangel, and Rhenz Abando who once played for the UST Growling Tigers under head coach Aldin Ayo.

Ildefonso is again coming off a stellar UAAP season after being selected as one of the members of Season 85’s Mythical team.

The former Gilas Pilipinas young cadet joined his teammate Forthsky Padrigao, UP center Malick Diouf, power forward Carl Tamayo, and UE Red Warriors’ star Luis Villegas.

Ildefonso was one of the most consistent players for head coach Tab Baldwin all season long and dropped 12 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game in Season 85.