Ildefonso inks 3-year, P14.7-M contract

Danny Ildefonso just reaffirmed his billing as San Miguel Beer’s franchise player as the 6-foot-5 slotman from National University signed a new contract with the SMC franchise worth P14.7 million for the next three and a half years.

He’s to receive the maximum monthly pay of P350,000 until June 2007.

This was bared by San Miguel coach Jong Uichico, who also said he had given veteran guard Boybits Victoria the option to look for another team following the team’s acquisition of Dale Singson from Shell.

With their contract-extension talk with Ildefonso over, Uichico said they will negotiate next with Victoria, Bryan Gahol and Joey Mente.

But Uichico said he has talked to Victoria, discussing with the player the big possibility of lesser playing time on the entry of Singson.

San Miguel acquired Singson from Shell in exchange for the Beermen’s seventh pick in the recent PBA rookie draft. Shell then dealt the pick plus Eddie Laure to Purefoods for Billy Mamaril.

Shell released its premier pointguard to San Miguel but the Turbochargers are not in search of a replacement in the same position.

"Coach John Moran’s style is to play the team around. Walang pointguard. Did you notice in the NBA? Wala na rin specific pointguard," said Shell top official Bobby Kanapi.

"We’re willing to give him another contract. Pero siguradong mababawasan ang playing time niya, that’s why I’ve given him the freedom to look for another team," said Uichico of Victoria.

"Sigurado naman may mangangailangan ng serbisyo ni Boybits dahil beterano iyan," Uichico added. Victoria is now in his 11th season in the league.

On Mente, Uichico said: "Walang problema sa kanya dahil two-guard naman talaga iyan."

Curiously, San Miguel has another pointguard on the reserve list in Anton Villoria.

Uichico saw no more reason to pick in the recent draft since the team has been loaded with players in all positions. They have just welcomed the return of ace wingman Danny Seigle from injury.— Nelson Beltran