Dynamite.

Danny Seigle, recognized as Philippine basketball’s “Dynamite” for his incredible scoring prowess and for redefining the Filipino small forward position, is almost a clear example of life imitating art. Drafted in 1999 and an annual candidate for PBA Most Valuable Player, Seigle is almost at the twilight of his illustrious basketball career peppered with a myriad of injuries.

Why do we say that Seigle's case is "life imitating art?" In 2008, director Darren Donofsky Aronofsky and writer Robert Siegel teamed up for a brilliant sports-drama film “The Wrestler” which starred famed actor Mickey Rourke. The piece was astutely moving and heart-wrenching in the sense that it was raw and brutally honest recounting the life of an aged sports entertainer still clinging to all the glory of his now lost youth.

He was hanging and carrying on despite his advanced years—if only for the love of entertaining his adoring fans. Or angling for one last paycheck. Or simply because it was all he had left.

One. More. Match.

From the outside looking in, it didn’t help the 6”6 former US NCAA Wagner College stalwart’s legacy when he was traded by San Miguel Beer, the team that he led alongside Danny Ildefonso and Olsen Racela to numerous title runs, to Air21 Express/ Barako Bull Energy. A franchise which, despite some inspiring runs here and there, just doesn’t seem to have a legitimate shot at the PBA playoffs for one reason or another (i.e. trading away up and coming players, firing arguably the most decorated coach Philippine Pesos could afford, etc.).

Seigle went from being a 19 points and 7 rebounds go-to-guy his first six years (cut short due to injuries from 2002-2003) to a solid contributor the last few years split playing for San Miguel/ Petron and current team Barako Bull with averages of around 11 points and 5 rebounds in about 30 minutes (which isn’t all too bad had his name not been THE Danny “Dynamite” Seigle).

So what’s next for Seigle?

Should he simply choose to walk away from the game and not follow in the footsteps of others who “held on too long?”

His resume speaks for itself. His position, his entry to the PBA Hall of Fame is and should be a definite lock—paving the way for guys like Arwind Santos, Nino Canaleta, Kelly Williams, Jay Washington and so on.

But in our honest opinion, in maybe 15 to 20 minutes of burn similar to buddy Dondon Hontiveros over at the Alaska Aces’ camp, Seigle could work wonders for any team as a “low risk, high reward” type.

Play or walk away, Seigle has our love and respect.

Your thoughts?