Mighty Sports has added another bright young prospect to its arsenal for the 2020 Dubai International Basketball Championship.
Head coach Charles Tiu unveiled that they have added Dave Ildefonso to bolster their squad.
And it was his familiarity with Ildefonso during the 2019 FIBA Under-19 World Cup that made Tiu recruit the swingman for the tournament set from January 23-February 1, 2020.
“We are excited to have Dave on board for our Dubai stint. I’ve had the privilege of being with him during our Under-Nineteen World Cup, and he really impressed me a lot with his leadership and his game,” said Tiu as the 19-year-old averaged 16.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 3.7 assists during that campaign in Greece.
“He can more than hold his own against the best of the world at his age.”
In his second year in National University, Ildefonso averaged 17.14 points, 5.93 rebounds, and 2.14 assists per game. The Bulldogs did not make the Final Four, though.
Tiu knows that facing the top teams in the Middle East will only make Ildefonso better.
“This tournament will give him some good experience against professional players and even imports at his position,” said Tiu about adding Ildefonso to this team backed by Creative Pacific of Bong Cuevas, Go for Gold, Oriental Group, Discovery Primea, and Gatorade.
“I know he has dreams of maybe playing internationally one day, so this is a good start for him at such a young age.”
