Meralco Bolts sign Danny Ildefonso to one-conference contract

After 15 seasons, with the San Miguel flagship, Danny Ildefonso will be donning a fresh jersey as he was given a one-conference contract by the Meralco Bolts.

“I honestly believe that DI still has what it takes to compete at a high level in the PBA,” said Meralco head coach Ryan Gregorio. “He has been aching for teams to give him a venue to display what he has and we are more than willing to provide him with the opportunity.”

Petron Blaze did not renew Ildefonso’s contract after the Boosters’ second place finish in the 2013 PBA Governors’ Cup. Meralco was always on top of the list of Ildefonso’s possible destinations but it was not formalized until today.

The first overall pick of the 1998 PBA Draft and a two-time PBA Most Valuable Player awardee, Ildefonso had the worst year of his career last season as he averaged a measly 1.29 points and 1.57 rebounds in only 14 games. He struggled as he was still waiting for his dislocated shoulder to completely heal. However, his value to the team was much more that just that as he took rookie center June Mar Fajardo under his wing. As a result, the center from Cebu improved by leaps and bounds in the third conference.

By signing Ildefonso, Gregorio hopes that the veteran can help the Bolts arrest their current losing skid.“He has championship experience and high basketball intelligence; things that you cannot teach as a basketball coach, but, you learn through time as a basketball player,” Gregorio said. “With DI on-board, he gives us a positive perspective on how to win games whether he plays or just by being on the bench.  He will definitely improve our locker room atmosphere just by his mere positive attitude.”

With the official announcement already made, players from Meralco have formally welcomed Ildefonso to the team. Don Allado was one of the first to post a picture on social media. “Finally, I get to be teammates with the demolition man, Danny Ildefonso,” Allado posted on his Instagram accout.

Jared Dillinger also posted on his Twitter account saying Ildefonso's experience "will do great things for the team."

The Meralco Bolts will see action tomorrow at the SM MOA Arena against the cellar-dwelling Air21 Express. Ildefonso will be sporting the Meralco orange as he replaces the injured Mike Cortez in the Bolts' line-up. They also activated Sunday Salvacion and relagated Nelbert Omolon to the reserve list.