TAIPEI – Watching from the sideline, Danny Seigle marveled at how the SMC-Philippine team has improved from the time they started training in February.
“We’ve improved a lot. What more if we’re trained for at least a year. Seeing how my teammates play here, I’m comfortable and confident we can do well in Tokushima,” said Seigle, the team’s ace forward not fielded in the Jones Cup due to injury.
Seigle is now back in training, having his own program while the Nationals were competing in the Jones Cup. The 6-foot-7 Wagner University product is likely to rejoin the Nationals as they play the Chinese, Syrians and Lebanese in the Manila Invitationals back home starting tomorrow.
The San Miguel Beer stalwart said their trips in the United States, Iran and Belgrade helped shape up the team.
“In the US, it was more of a conditioning which we’re still using now. Iran was an eye-opener because our butts were kicked there. Belgrade was different. We learned so much there. We wished we could have stayed longer there,” said Seigle.
With the return of Seigle and Tony dela Cruz, RP team coach Chot Reyes has 16 players at his disposal. Reyes intends to name the final 12 after the Manila Invitationals but will bring three reserves in Tokushima.
Seigle doesn’t think anybody would feel bad being left out.
“We owe it to the country to field the best players. I don’t think somebody would die to be left out. We’re told from the beginning that someone might be replaced,” said Seigle.
But Seigle thinks Reyes has a tough decision to make in this regard. He said: “As I saw here, everybody deserves a slot.”