Fresh off the Abra Solid North Weavers’ championship run in the 2025 MPBL National Championship and Dave Ildefonso’s coronation as league Most Valuable Player, the league found itself at the center of online debate following its decision to award the Rookie of the Year honor to Abra teammate Raven Gonzales.
The controversy gained traction on social media after a Facebook post by Shooters Challenge questioned the ruling.
“Anyare MPBL. Rookie MVP dapat yung Ildefonso,” the post read.
The comment section quickly filled with contrasting views, with some fans arguing that the Rookie of the Year award should be reserved for players who entered the MPBL directly from the collegiate ranks, rather than those with prior professional experience.
“Yung rookie of the year yung galing college to MPBL, hindi ex-pro to MPBL. My own opinion lang,” commented Dax Navarro.
Others countered that awarding both MVP and Rookie of the Year to Ildefonso would have been excessive, pointing out that he had already received the league’s highest individual honor.
“Kaya nga, haha. Nag-MVP na eh, matic siya dapat maging Rookie of the Year,” wrote Lhord Bulos.
Some fans, meanwhile, speculated that the MPBL was avoiding a rare historical feat, referencing the lone Rookie-MVP season in Philippine basketball history by legend Benjie Paras.
“Ayaw pa i-break ng MPBL record ng nag-iisang Rookie MVP (Benjie Paras),” added Paul Ekin Marribay.
Ildefonso entered the MPBL with an extensive basketball résumé. He was part of the Ateneo Blue Eagles’ UAAP championship team in 2022 before playing as an Asian quota import for Suwon KT Sonicboom in the Korean Basketball League. After his contract was not renewed in 2024, he was selected fifth overall by the NorthPort Batang Pier in the PBA Draft but did not sign, eventually making his way to the MPBL.
Signed by the Abra Solid North Weavers ahead of the 2025 season, Ildefonso made his league debut in March and quickly established himself as the team’s primary offensive weapon. He capped his first MPBL campaign by winning the MVP award and leading Abra to the national championship.
Despite the league’s official ruling, discussion continues online over how a “rookie” should be defined and whether a player’s overall experience should weigh into the awarding of the honor. (Jonas Lavarias)
