By REYNALD MAGALLON
Converge continued to strengthen its lineup acquiring the rights to Dave Ildefonso from Titan Ultra in exchange for Kobe Monje and two future picks.
The PBA trade committee approved the trade on Friday, Oct. 24 following a revision of the initial deal. In the original transaction, the FiberXers were sending Monje and the 51st season first round pick in exchange for the rights for Ildefonso.
In the revised and approved deal, Converge is sending Monje, a 51st season second round pick and 52nd season first round pick.
“Finally,we can now breathe a sigh of relief,” said Converge governor Archen Cayabyab in a statement on the league website.
“It was a tough call. But looking at our young team, we know that we need Dave as his position is also our missing piece. We want to be competitive and give Boss Dennis Anthony Uy a championship and getting Dave is a great addition,” Cayabyab added.
Ildefonso was picked fifth overall last season by NorthPort but the two camps failed to reach an agreement resulting in the 25-year-old signing with Abra instead.
At the FiberXers, he will join his father and Danny, who serves as an assistant coach under head coach Dennis “Delta” Pineda.
Should he manage to reach an agreement with Converge, he will add firepower to an already loaded FiberXers team featuring Juan Gomez de Liano, Alec Stockton, Schonny Winston, Justin Arana and Justine Baltazar.
