By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
One of the best big men to ever set foot on the PBA hardwood will be making a surprising return despite retiring from basketball eight years ago.
Danny “Demolition Man” Ildefonso, an eight-time PBA champion and a former two-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) from 2000-2001, just got activated by the Converge FiberXers from an assistant coach to a full-time player confirmed on March 2, 2023.
Ildefonso last played in 2015 when he was still with the Meralco Bolts and decided to hang his jersey up for good when he entered coaching.
According to the letter signed by PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, Ildefonso was listed as the 15th member of the Converge roster currently competing in the import-laced Governor’s Cup.
The FiberXers are currently doing well in the ongoing conference and are sitting at the fifth spot of the standings with a 6-3 win-loss record.
As of this writing, the specific reason for Ildefonso’s elevation as an active player is yet to be discussed by the Converge franchise.
However, in an interview with Converge head coach Aldin Ayo with sports website Tiebreaker Times, he said that they only needed one to complete their 15-man lineup.
Ildefonso was the no. 1 overall pick during the 1998 PBA Draft and immediately made an impact when he won the Rookie of the Year award.
Without the “Demolition Man”, the San Miguel franchise will never win eight PBA championship titles from 1999-2011.
Known for his brute strength and athleticism, Ildefonso quickly cemented his name as one of the best players in the PBA, proof is his inclusion in the 40 PBA best players of all-time list.
Ildefonso is expected to make his Converge debut today when they battle the tough NLEX Road Warriors in the first game of the PBA Friday doubleheader.
