Seven championships. Four Finals Most Valuable Player awards. Two Best Player of the Conference plums and three Mythical Five selections.
It’s clear who’s the biggest snub in the selection of the new players who made it to the PBA’s 40 Greatest Players.
Former Rookie of the Year Danny Seigle, who nearly became the second player to become the Rookie/MVP in 1999, was an obvious snub in the new group of 15 players included by the PBA’s selection committee to join the 25 other greats named in year 2000.
The 6-foot-7 standout from Wagner University burst into the scene 15 years ago and quickly made an impact. He helped a then rebuilding San Miguel team in winning championships in just his first season.
He, along with two-time MVP Danny Ildefonso and dependable guard Olsen Racela, was a key player of the Beermen squad that won seven championships. Only Ildefonso was included in the latest addition to the PBA Greats and even he was shocked when he learned his two former teammates were not on the list.
“Nakakalungkot lang, deserving kasi sila eh. Madaming bata na nadagdag dapat doon sa mga bata, sa 50 Greatest na nila sinama,” Ildefonso told Tiebreaker Times in an exclusive interview.
Aside from Ildefonso, who is playing in his 17th season, other players included in the list are former MVP winners Asi Taulava, Eric Menk, Kelly Williams, Jayjay Helterbrand, Jimmy Alapag, Mark Caguioa, and Arwind Santos.
The biggest shock was the selection of Kerby Raymundo and Marlou Aquino, who were picked ahead of Seigle.
Both of them are no longer active along with Chito Loyzaga, who was also included in the list.
Marc Pingris and Jayson Castro, two players who are still in the prime of their careers, were also chosen.
