Low-voltage Bolts sign Ildefonso to revive playoff hopes

MANILA, Philippines – After a four-game tailspin to end 2013, the Meralco Bolts are looking to revive their playoffs hopes by signing free agent Danny Ildefonso for the rest of the conference.

Ildefonso will be playing his first official game outside the San Miguel/Petron franchise on Saturday when the Bolts face off with Air21 Express at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The 37-year old veteran is expected to shore up the injury-hit Bolts’ frontline.

“We signed Danny Ildefonso until the end of the conference. His presence will give us more ceiling and maturity,” Bolts coach Ryan Gregorio told Philstar.com on Friday.

“I honestly believe that D.I. still has what it takes to compete at a high level in the PBA. He has been aching for teams to give him a venue to display what he has and we are more than willing to provide him with the platform,” Gregorio added.

Ildefonso, who was reduced to a personal coach to Petron sophomore center Junemar Fajardo in his last year with the winningest franchise, only saw action in 14 games last season and wound up with career-worst averages of 1.2 points and 1.5 rebounds.

Gregorio intends to use the two-time MVP in their clash against Air21.

“Yes (I will use him against Air21),” said Gregorio, who added that his minutes will depend on how will he play after a long hiatus.

At Meralco, Ildefonso is expected to play alongside former Petron teammate Rabeh Al-Hussaini and sophomore big man Cliff Hodge, who was sidelined for six games early this conference, and Reynel Hugnatan, who played through sprained ankle.

The former two-time MVP will be reunited with his long-time coach at San Miguel Beer Jong Uichico, who now serves as Meralco team consultant.

More than his padded resume, Ildefonso brings a lot more to the table.

“He has championship experience and high basketball intelligence,” Gregorio said. “Things that you cannot teach as a basketball coach, but, you learn through time as a basketball player.”

“With DI on-board, he gives us a positive perspective on how to win games whether he plays or just by being on the bench.  He will definitely improve our locker room atmosphere just by his mere positive attitude,” added Gregorio, whose Bolts sport a 3-7 win-loss record.

With four games left in their schedule, Gregorio said that their fate is still in their hands and they still have time to turn things around.

And Ildefonso needs to turn back the hands of time to help the Bolts from bolting out of the conference.