After 17 years, Ildefonso retires

Danny Ildefonso, who won two Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards and was instrumental in the San Miguel Beermen’s championship wins in the late 90’s and early 2000’s, announced his retirement yesterday after 17 fruitful seasons in the pro league.

Ildefonso’s decision came after the Meralco Bolts opted not to renew his contract as the franchise underwent a rebuilding prowess with the selections of Chris Newsome and Baser Amer in the PBA Rookie Draft on Sunday.

“Nag-usap na kami ng management and also si (Meralco) coach Norman Black. Sa akin naman, OK lang yun at nai-intindihan ko na nasa rebuilding period ang team,” Ildefonso said.

The Urdaneta, Pangasinan native also added that his children’s entry into sports have made it easier for him to call it quits.

His sons Shaun, 17, and Dave, 15, are both playing for the Ateneo Blue Eaglets, daughter Sofia, 12, is a member of Miriam College’s volleyball team while 9-year-old twins Sym and Sam are into swimming.

“Sila talaga ang reason kaya naisip ko mag-retire, naglalaro na sila so gusto ko sila matutukan,” said Ildefonso.

Ildefonso was chosen as the top overall pick by Formula Shell in the 1998 Draft before being traded to San Miguel for No. 2 pick Noy Castillo. The 6-foot-6 center played 15 seasons with the Beermen where he popularized the “Raise the Roof ” gesture after each successful dunk.

He won the Rookie of the Year in 1998 before winning eight championships, most of which with Danny Seigle, Olsen Racela and coach Jong Uichico.

It was also during his time with SMB when Ildefonso won every professional player’s dream – the MVP award. He was the league’s best player in 2000 and 2001, at the time when the Beermen were the league’s model franchise.

His stint with San Miguel almost ended in 2001 after signing a 16-year, R96 million offer sheet from Tanduay but was declared “flawed” by the league.

Ildefonso eventually stayed with the Beermen until 2013 and joined Meralco to play the last two seasons of his career.

He averaged 10.8 points and 6.0 rebounds in 714 games.