Negotiations remain at a standstill as Dave Ildefonso and NorthPort have yet to find a middle ground with PBA Season 49 fast approaching.
According to head coach Bonnie Tan, the Batang Pier have already sent a two-year max deal to their fifth overall pick in the recent Draft, but the team continues to wait for the former Suwon KT import’s response.
“Wala pang final arrangement with Dave,” he said. “But from what I’ve heard from management, they offered a two-year maximum contract.”
Tan shared this information with reporters during the league’s Media Day on Monday at the Le Parc Event Hall, where NorthPort attended without Ildefonso.
He was the only rookie absent from the team, which was intriguing, considering most of his fellow first-round picks had already been signed by their respective ball clubs shortly after the Draft.
Tan mentioned that NorthPort did manage to speak with the second-generation player via video conference on Draft Day, as he was in a stint with Strong Group Athletics in the 43rd William Jones Cup in Taiwan.
“Actually, nung Draft Day, within that day, nagusap naman kami via Zoom. But we haven’t seen Dave sa court,” said the veteran mentor.
When asked if Ildefonso is seeking to be moved, the 51-year-old former college coach said, “Wala naman akong narinig ganun. Wala pa.”
Tan reiterated that the NorthPort management’s offer is already on the table, and now the ball is in the court of the former Ateneo Blue Eagle.
“Wala pa. But again, yun nga yung narinig ko, the team offered a two-year, maximum contract. Pending na yun,” he said.
