Ildefonso offered P96-M deal

With barely three days to go before the opening of the PBA 2001 season, Tanduay made a bold move to acquire San Miguel Beer’s Danny Ildefonso in what could be the richest ever player deal in the league.

The Tanduay management gave Ildefonso an offer sheet worth P96 million in 16 years, exclusive of a lucrative bonus package that will mean millions more to the lanky Beerman.

Though it had yet to sign up Ildefonso, San Miguel included its ace slotman in its official lineup submitted to the PBA office. The ballclub will have to revise its lineup if it can’t match the astronomical contract Ildefonso got from Tanduay.

But San Miguel board representative Alberto Villa Abrille reportedly told Tanduay they would match the offer although they have yet to see the official paper.

Tanduay officials said Ildefonso offered his services to the team after failing to close a deal with San Miguel. Tanduay team manager David de Joya said Ildefonso earlier bargained for P120 million in 20 years but was prevailed upon to settle for P96 million in 16 years.

Still, Ildefonso got the biggest deal ever made in the league with his contract dwarfing the P47-million offer sheet Kenneth Duremdes got from Mobiline a few days back.

Earlier, Tanduay also tried to acquire Marlou Aquino from Sta. Lucia, offering the 6-foot-9 behemoth P72 million in 12 years.

Under the agreement, Ildefonso is assured of a monthly take of P.5 million until year 2016. His contract is adjustable, meaning his pay will be adjusted once the league raises its maximum pay.

Included in Ildefonso’s bonus package is a won-game incentive of P50,000 only in the elimination round this year. The amount will be accelerated by P5,000 annually, thus, by 2016, Ildefonso is to receive P125,000 per won game in the elims.

Earlier in the day, Tanduay got the signing rights for Bonel Balingit from Pop Cola in exchange for a future draft pick. The team is contemplating on signing up the 6-foot-8 behemoth for P6 million in two years.