Seigle to stay on or retire after 17 yrs

MANILA, Philippines - Danny Seigle, the 1999 Rookie of the Year who has distinguished himself as among the PBA all-time best frontcourt operators, will decide today whether to continue playing or finally hang his jersey.

Seigle, whose current contract is expiring at the end of the month, actually still wants to play up to the end of the season but has been offered only a one-conference extension deal by TNT KaTropa.

“We told him we want to keep him. But we offer only a one-conference extension as we want to see if he can be effective playing and at the same time mentoring his young teammates. Later on, he can be tapped for corporate-level position,” said TNT team manager Virgil Villavicencio.

“He said he’ll decide Friday (today).”

Seigle has to decide today as the team has to finalize its lineup in time for the Monday deadline of submission of rosters for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup which fires off March 17.

 Waiting in the wings is Australian forward Tim Habelito. Others in the TNT reserve list are Al Francis Tamsi, Levi Hernandez and Oping Sumalinog.

Seigle, one of only 17 players who have lasted at least 17 seasons in the local pro league, is turning 41 on June 14.

“He still had a good showing last conference especially during the playoffs,” said Villavicencio.

A product of Wagner U, Seigle has had a celebrated PBA career marked by two Best Player of the Conference awards, four Finals MVP plums and three Mythical First Team citations.

Through the recent Philippine Cup, he has collected 8,386 career points, 3,132 rebounds and 824 assists. He’s No. 26 in the all-time scoring ladder.