8-sp: Seigle goes to Purefoods in exchange for Codinera
Balita News
By Lily O. Ramos
MANILA, July 8 (PNA) - Mobiline's center Andrew"Andy" Seigle was
traded today for Purefoods' slotman Jerry Codinera in what could be
the first blockbuster exchange of players this season..
Codinera is scheduled to start practicing for Mobiline tomorrow
while Seigle appeared on the Hotdogs' practice this afternoon, even
as their respective team officials are finalizing paperworks at the
PBA headquarters at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Mobiline coach Eric Altamirano's better-half, Marissa, affirmed
the news, saying her hubby could have not been happier for the
exchange of personnel.
The 6-6, 31-year old, many a time Mythical Selection member,
Codinera was Purefoods vital cog since the firm entered the PBA in
1986 and was a constant rival of his best friend, four-time Most
Valuable Player awardee, Alvin Patrimonio for the MVP plum for a
number of years. Their consistent rivalry nearly strained their
friendship until Purefoods gave Jerry a substantial increase in his
re-negotiated contract.
Both Seigle and Codinera are having their second teams for the
first time in their respective careers.
The 6-9, 26- year old Seigle, on the other hand, was a discovery
of ace golfer Tommy Manotoc two years ago and was the Rookie of the
Year awardee the previous year. He was Fil-Tongan Paul Asi Taulava's
partner as the Phone Pals' Twin Tower. Seigle was a national team
member in the Bangkok Asian Games in 1998 while his team went on to
win its first PBA title in a short side conference.
Seigle played for Mobiline with aplomb last night in an
out-of-town game in Sta. Cruz, Laguna. It proved to be his last
stint with the Phone Pals as he bade them farewell last night.
The elevation of Taulava from the PBL to the Phone Pals and his
taking over the attention of fans shocked Seigle early in the
All-Filipino Cup which spawned speculations that he wanted out of the
team.
Jean, the wife of Codinera, confirmed the trade to PNA when she
told us that the deal was nearly done last weekend but the couple was
informed only of the result last Tuesday afternoon.
" It's okay, Jerry has accepted the deal with a grain of salt
and he is more than willing to join Mobiline to hopefully help in
giving them their very first regular conference crown. No hard
feelings, he is a professional and he will do his job well," said
Jean in a telephone interview.
Several fans have said that Mobiline tends to gain more with
the long championship experience of Jerry although he is older.
Purefoods have an edge in youth but unless Seigle improves his skills
under his new coach, he won't be dominating as he should be.
Seigle was predicted two years ago to be the next powerful
slotman in the PBA until Marlou Aquino of Ginebra showed up and then
popular rookie of the year candidate Taulava became Mobiline's
franchise player and main man. (PNA)
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PNA 07081552