THOUGHTS | CONVERGE FINALLY OBTAINS DAVE ILDEFONSO'S RIGHTS

Converge has finally secured the rights to play Dave Ildefonso, sweetening the deal by adding a second-round pick in the 2027 PBA Draft (that’s Season 51, if you want to be precise). In exchange, they sent 2025 second-round pick Kobe Monje, a 2027 second-rounder, and a 2028 first-round pick to the Titan Ultra Giant Risers.

On paper, that’s a solid acquisition for the FiberXers. They’ve landed the former Ateneo Blue Eagle and current Abra Weaver while still maintaining one of the most stacked young cores in the league. But that’s the thing about Converge — they’re loaded, yet still unproven when it comes to winning championships. We’ve gotten so used to seeing TNT, Ginebra, and San Miguel in those trophy photo ops that even a deep squad like Converge somehow feels like an underdog.

Now the question is: where exactly does Ildefonso fit? Their likely starting five of Justin Arana, Justine Baltazar, Juan Gomez de Liano, Alec Stockton, and Schonny Winston is already set. At the same time, their bench is filled with their 2023 and 2024 draft picks, as well as former Pampanga Giant Lanterns standouts. On top of that, they’re still waiting for NCAA prospects Tony Ynot and Mark Denver Omega, the latter recently acquired from Rain or Shine in exchange for Converge’s 2028 second-rounder.

In short, they can afford to wait for Ildefonso.

After failing to reach a deal with the then-NorthPort Batang Pier, Ildefonso chose to sign a two-year contract with Abra worth somewhere between ₱400,000 and ₱800,000 a month. If it’s closer to ₱400K, he has an easier path to an early exit. But if it’s around ₱800K, then he’ll likely stay put for now — because that’s serious money.

Either way, his situation highlights a bigger issue: the PBA keeps losing its top young talents to other leagues, both locally and abroad. It might be time for them to rethink their salary cap structure.

For now, Ildefonso is honoring his deal with Abra, and that’s perfectly fine for Converge. They can use the time to develop their current roster, especially since they’ve already traded away some of their future picks — including the 2027 pick to Terrafirma in the Jordan Heading trade and another to NorthPort in the Ildefonso deal.

In the meantime, Dave gets another year to shine as THE MPBL poster boy, as he is seen by many as the season's hands-down choice to win Season MVP. The only potential wrinkle is if Abra decides to cash in and let him go before the MPBL's 2026 season, because after all, his paycheck is so extravagant that it could probably fund three MPBL starters.

Still, joining Converge won’t automatically make him the team’s main man. Baltazar was supposed to be the top big, but Arana’s emergence has shaken things up. The trio of Juan GDL, Schonny, and Stockton is already entrenched, so someone would have to sacrifice minutes if Dave slides into the small forward spot.

And that’s not even considering Larry Muyang or the potential signing of ugh, Mikey Williams. Say what you will about his off-court drama, but if Converge brings him in, he’s not playing fewer than 20 minutes a night.

At the end of the day, Dave Ildefonso’s PBA story isn’t about if or when, but how. He’s heading to a team willing to pay him handsomely, with an MPBL affiliate that can support their depth anytime they want. So for now, let the man get his bag.

The fact that he’s honoring his Abra contract — whether for loyalty or financial reasons — already puts him a step above other players who didn’t handle their situations as cleanly.

Ahem, Mikey Williams.