Danny ‘Lakay’ Ildefonso returns, to play for Converge FiberXers
DANNY “The Demolition Man” Ildefonso is back in the jungle to slug it out against today’s giants.
In a shocking development, the legendary big man at 46 years old comes out of retirement to play for the Converge FiberXers in the ongoing PBA Governors’ Cup.
Converge, where the former two-time PBA Most Valuable Player (MVP) concurrently serves as assistant coach, yesterday announced the signing of Mr. Ildefonso as its 15th player for a rare second wind in the Asia’ first pro league after his last stint eight years ago.
The Urdaneta, Pangasinan native last played in 2015 for Meralco, which is coincidentally the FiberXers’ opponent today to mark Mr. Ildefonso’s comeback at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Mr. Ildefonso, also known as “Lakay” with a fabled “Raise The Roof” gesture after his electrifying dunks back in the day, thus becomes the oldest active player in the PBA today. Asi Taulava, who turned 50 today, was supposed to be the holder of that distinction but he’s not in the active line-up of NLEX.
Since 2015, the National University product has transitioned to coaching as a deputy in Alaska, which disbanded last year and paved the way for new franchise Converge — where he was retained in the coaching staff of chief tactician Aldin Ayo up to date.
But he etched his incomparable mark through a storied playing career highlighted by two season MVP and five Best Player of the Conference awards, eight championships, three Finals MVP, four Mythical and eight All-Star Selections.
Mr. Ildefonso was the first overall pick by Shell in 1998 before getting acquired by San Miguel, where he served as the franchise player for 15 years until taking his act to Meralco in 2013-2015.
The member of the PBA’s 40 Greatest Players was considered as the mentor that unleashed “The Kraken” in now six-time MVP June Mar Fajardo during their time in San Miguel/Petron.
With his return, Mr. Ildefonso also sports a rare chance to play against his son Shaun, who’s with Rain or Shine, for the league’s first father-and-son combo since Robert “Sonny” Jaworski, Sr. and Dodot Jaworski. — John Bryan Ulanday
