Seigle, Mamaril trade blows in tune-up game

By Nelson Beltran
Philippine Star
Friday, October 5, 2007

Magnolia’s Danny Seigle and Barangay Ginebra’s Billy Mamaril engaged in a fight during their teams’ tune-up game won by the Kings at the Green Meadows gym Wednesday.

Seigle and Mamaril figured in a shoving match then traded punches in a fight triggered by a strong collision in the first half of the contest.

But after being temporarily pulled out, the two players cooled down, patched things up and returned to finish the game where the Kings beat the Beverage Masters (formerly San Miguel Beermen) by three.

“You see Billy plays with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. He accidentally hit Danny in one play and it sparked the fight. But after a while, both cooled down,” said Ginebra coach Jong Uichico.

The Kings dominated the game and fended off the Beverage Masters’ endgame rally though playing minus injured stars Mark Caguioa and Rafi Reavis.

“We poured everything while they’re a bit lax,” said Uichico downplaying the result of the contest.

Magnolia is the consensus top favorite and the Ginebras among the dark horses in the 33rd PBA season kicking off Oct. 14 at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Magnolia Beverage Masters are up against the Air21 Express on opening day.

Meanwhile, all the players gathered at the Erwin Theater in Ateneo yesterday for a seminar/briefing called by league board chairman Tony Chua and officer-in-charge Sonny Barrios.

Businessman-sportsman Robert Cuan was among the speakers, giving the players tips on how to manage their finances.