Player of the Week March 28 to April 3.

DANNY Seigle’s star is not about to fade out just yet, not when the old fire within him has
seemingly been stoked by his transfer to Air21.

The man thought to be past his prime showed this by coming up with two double-doubles and playing a
key role in the Express’ back-to-back wins in the week that was, charging up their drive to a
quarterfinals seat in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

In those much-needed wins over Meralco and Powerade, Seigle averaged 20.5 points and 12.0 rebounds,
throwing in 2.0 blocks, 1.5 assists and 1.0 steal in the process, to earn the Accel-PBA Press Corps
Player of the Week honors for the period March 28 to April 3.

The citation was the first such for the 1999 Rookie of the Year since the 2008 Fiesta Conference and
his recent numbers were his best since the 2007-08 Philippine Cup, when he averaged 18.7 points and
8.0 boards.

Seigle credited it all to the new challenges and opportunities that opened up for him when he, along
with Dondon Hontiveros, Dorian Pena and Paul Artadi were shipped to Air21 from San Miguel Beer for
Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Nonoy Baclao and Rey Guevarra last March 4.

“It all has to do with getting the time, getting the touches,” said the 34-year-old. “In San
Miguel I was more of a role player. But I was happy with that role, I mean, backing up JayWash
(Washington), giving him a break when he needed it.

“Here, it’s different. I’m drawn back into a bigger role and it’s not just my scoring. I
have to rebound, play defense. It’s been a challenge and I just love going out there and compete.
That’s what I love to do.”

He adds he is in no way left bitter by the separation from his first PBA team he helped power to six
championships.

“I take a step back and look at the whole situation and weigh it and either way I would have been
happy,” he stated. “It was just so positive for me. At San Miguel I didn’t mind taking that
role. I was finding other ways to contribute. Here it opened up new challenges and opportunities and
I’m just trying to take advantage of it.”

Seigle really has been making hay.

In a 110-101 victory over Meralco last Wednesday, he chipped in 18 points and 12 rebounds for his
first double-double since the 2008-09 Philippine Cup.

He followed that up with 23 points and 12 rebounds in a 108-98 triumph over Powerade last Sunday.

Those wins jacked Air21’s record to 4-4. It still has to prevail over Alaska on Wednesday to
advance past the eliminations and claim a quarterfinals berth and Seigle believes it’s a very
doable thing.

“I like what I see, the guys are starting to believe in themselves a little more and I think
that’s a big thing,” he said. “We’re just gonna battle, our backs to the wall, and we just
got to keep playing… do our best.”

One could guarantee he sure would. (NC)