Seigle lights his fire

Veteran Danny Seigle is excited to explode in the PBA once again, this time in a Talk ‘N’ Text uniform. If plans don’t miscarry, Seigle will make his Tropang Texters debut against Globalport at the Mall of Asia Arena on Tuesday.

Last Thursday, Dynamite Danny wore blue behind the Texters bench for the game against Alaska and received a warm welcome from fans who wondered at the start of the season if he would even play at all. Seigle, 37, is one of the league’s senior statesmen along with Air 21’s Asi Taulava, 40, Alaska’s Nic Belasco who turns 40 on Dec. 10 and Talk ‘N’ Text’s John Ferriols, 39. But like the other “elders,” Seigle looks far from finished. He’s expected to contribute in a big way to the Texters’ bid to retain the Philippine Cup championship.

Seigle had practiced only once with the Texters before last Thursday’s game and said he couldn’t be happier joining a team that plays a system where he could fit. “For two weeks, I didn’t know if I would play this season or not,” he said. “I was told my contract with Barako Bull wouldn’t be renewed so I became a free agent. Nobody called until (Talk ‘N’ Text team manager) Paolo (Trillo) and Aboy (Castro) got in touch. That set the ball rolling. I’m just happy to be back playing. I’m excited to play for coach Norman (Black) and with guys like Jimmy (Alapag) and Jayson (Castro).”

Seigle watched from the sidelines as the Texters edged the Aces, 114-111, in overtime, leaning on Castro and Alapag who combined for 53 points. It was obvious that Talk ‘N’ Text lacked inside presence but the Blur and Mighty Mouse more than made up for the shortcoming. As the season progresses, Black will need frontline threats to ease the pressure on his all-star guards – that’s where Seigle comes in.

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“I think I’ll post up a lot more with Talk ‘N’ Text just to give the defense something to think about aside from defending Jayson and Jimmy,” he said. “I didn’t post up much with Barako Bull but with Talk ‘N’ Text, I think the system will let me do it. I’ve kept in shape so I know I’m ready to go. I weigh about 205 pounds now. About three years ago, I was 10 pounds heavier.”

Trillo said bringing Seigle over is an insurance that will definitely pay off. “You’ll never know if you get hit with injuries and we’re lucky a player of Danny’s caliber is available,” he said. “Our problem now is whom to list in the limit of five Fil-foreigners. Danny will definitely suit up on Tuesday and play some minutes. He’ll have three practices with us by then. Danny’s obviously still not familiar with our system but he’s adjusting quickly. We don’t know how long he’ll play. The good thing is he’s in shape and by Tuesday, he’ll know at least our basic plays.” Which five Fil-foreigners to play is a problem that any coach wouldn’t mind. The Texters’ Fil-foreigners are Seigle, Alapag, Ali Peek, Harvey Carey, Kelly Williams, Sean Anthony and Rob Reyes. Only five of the seven will be listed in the lineup for Tuesday’s assignment. Rob Reyes is still in the injured list. Ryan Reyes isn’t considered a Fil-foreigner.

Seigle seems to have shaken off the injuries that plagued his career since his arrival as Rookie of the Year in 1999. The 13-year pro saw action in Barako’s last 29 outings without a single sit-out and played in every game in the last Commissioner’s and Governors Cups. He only started once for the Energy Cola in 31 total contests, averaging 11.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 21.1 minutes. His single-game high was 21 points, a far cry from his career best of 43 registered with San Miguel Beer in 2004-05. Seigle shot .422 from the field, .300 from beyond the arc and .724 from the line. The numbers showed that Dynamite Danny can still light up his fuse.

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Scheduled to be reactivated for the game against Globalport is Ranidel de Ocampo who sat out the Texters’ first three games. De Ocampo brings versatility and toughness to the team. He can play three if Black assigns Seigle at four and Williams or Peek or Noy Baclao at five. De Ocampo is also a threat at four. “The target is for Ranidel to play on Tuesday but that depends on if he’s ready to go,” said Trillo. “We’ll assess his condition before the game.”

Talk ‘N’ Text has lost only to Petron this conference. That game was forgettable as the Texters were held to only 63 points and shot a lowly .272 from the floor. They were outrebounded by nine, had five less assists and one less fastbreak point. Larry Fonacier went 0-of-5 from three-point distance and Alapag, 1-of-8. Against Alaska, the Tropa rebounded with a vengeance, regaining its killer form in offense. The Texters smothered the Aces with an avalanche of fastbreak points, 15-2, and collected five less turnovers. Fonacier, who opened the season 0-of-9 from triple range, was back on target with 18 points.

Globalport is coming off a 109-104 loss to Barangay Ginebra last Thursday and will no doubt go all out to spoil Seigle’s much-anticipated debut. Like the Texters, Globalport’s offense revolves around its guards, crack rookies Terrence Romeo and R. R. Garcia and veteran Sol Mercado. Providing frontline sock is Jay Washington. The backcourt matchups are intriguing – Castro will likely lock horns with Romeo and Alapag with Garcia. Romeo torched Air 21 with 34 points and Ginebra with 27, displaying a rare flair and high level of confidence for a freshman. Seigle and Washington, former teammates, provide another matchup that’s just as intriguing.