Dave Ildefonso goes back to Ateneo Blue Eagles

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

It’s official.

Former National University superstar Dave Ildefonso is heading back to where his basketball career started, with the Ateneo Blue Eagles.

Leaving Jhocson for Katipunan, Ildefonso said he had a main purpose on why he made that decision and said that it had nothing to do with internal issues involving the Bulldogs.

A week ago, league sources confirmed Ildefonso’s departure from NU and stories were spreading that he is heading to the Tab Baldwin led squad where he played his whole high school career.

The stories were confirmed after Ildefonso posted a lengthy Instagram post regarding what’s going on with him and his basketball career.

Ildefonso said that his reason for going back to Katipunan is for him to get a better shot of representing the country consistently.

Head coach Baldwin of Ateneo has been recently appointed by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) as Gilas Pilipinas program director.

With Baldwin playing a vital role in the Gilas program, Ildefonso’s desire to continue his stint with the national team was his reason for transferring.

Ildefonso will be activated in the UAAP Season 84 because he will still serve his one-year residency period as part of the UAAP rules.

“My biggest basketball dream has always been to represent the country in major international meets and I feel that this is the best path to that fulfillment of my dream,” Ildefonso said in his IG post.