Converge has finally found its missing piece.
The Fiberxers have officially acquired the rights to prized wing Dave Ildefonso from the Titan Ultra Giant Risers in exchange for forward Kobe Monje and two future draft picks, the PBA Trade Committee approved on Friday.
Under the approved deal, Titan receives Monje, Converge’s second-round pick in the 2027 Draft, and a first-round pick in the 2028 Draft — finalizing a move that had been in the works for weeks.
“Finally, we can now breathe a sigh of relief,” said Archen Cayabyab, Converge’s representative to the PBA Board.
“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.”
Cayabyab shared that he and Pampanga Vice Governor Delta Pineda, who also serves as the FiberXers’ head coach, had gone through multiple trade revisions before agreeing to include the team’s future first-round pick to get the deal done.
“We want to be competitive and give Boss Dennis Anthony Uy a championship, and getting Dave is a great addition,” he added.
Ildefonso, the son of PBA legend Danny Ildefonso, was originally drafted fifth overall by NorthPort in the 2024 Draft. However, talks between the two camps fell through.
Since then, the 6-foot-3 forward has been showcasing his all-around game in the MPBL, starring for Abra Solid North, where he has averaged 18.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, and 1.7 steals in 31 games so far.
Abra is currently in the thick of the 2025 MPBL playoffs.
The 24-year-old’s arrival gives Converge a dynamic two-way presence at the wing — a key need for a roster built around a youthful core.
As for Titan, the addition of Monje and multiple draft picks provides valuable long-term flexibility.
The former Letran forward was selected 21st overall (second round) in this year’s PBA Draft and has shown flashes of promise in his brief stint with the FiberXers.
