When we talk about the greatest players in PBA history, the conversation always gravitates toward the ones who left an undeniable impact on the league. And when you look at Benjie Paras and Danny Seigle, their legacies scream "game-changers." Both are legends in their own right and both were dominant forces during their peak.
Benjie Paras would shamelessly posterize his opponents with his rim-rattlers, and during his later years, he would almost perfect a deep-set shot reminiscent of that of Chris Webber. The shot had zero jump and was like a sentry. Danny Seigle on the other hand, commanded attention with his dunks. You can get humiliated with his baseline two-handed jams or his fast break impact slamma jammas. But then, one of Seigle's best arsenals is his jump shots. It's like he's suspended in mid-air for multiple seconds before releasing the shot after the opponent has challenged the attempt.
I pit these two legends because Paras is a former Rookie MVP while Seigle almost became a Rookie MVP as well. Their "rivalry" also came at a time when there was an influx of Filipino Americans in both the PBA and the MBA, and the locals were anxious to lose their livelihood. And if you think about the Fil-Am Invasion, you also need to think about the Fil-Sham Scandal. The Fil-Am controversy played a part in giving Paras the MVP title instead of Seigle. There is no question about this. Seigle averaged 19.2 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 0.7 blocks along with one BPC award, two Finals MVPs, and two championships. Meanwhile, Paras' tenth season had the Tower of Power unearth 15.7 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 0.7 steals, and 2.2 blocks to go with one BPC award. The BPC happened during the Commissioner's Cup, and the Shell Turbo Chargers won the All-Filipino Cup. The Finals MVP of that conference went to Gerry Esplana.
That said, again, the 1999 PBA season had a lot of stories. If Seigle won the MVP award of that season, he would have had an automatic spot in the 40 Greatest PBA Players list. Instead, he's in limbo, hopefully joining the list when it expands to 50 alongside almost MVPs Nelson Asaytono and Bong Hawkins.
But who had a better career? Let’s break it down.
First, let’s appreciate what made these two stand out. Benjie Paras isn’t called "The Tower of Power" for nothing. He’s the only player in PBA history to win the MVP and Rookie of the Year in the same season. This feat is still unmatched to this day. Paras played with an all-around game that dominated both ends of the court. Danny Seigle was almost the rookie version of Paras—a guy who could've snagged the MVP right out of the gate if not for circumstances.
TOWER OF POWER AND DYNAMITE DANNY:
BY THE NUMBERS
Let’s start with their career averages:
Benjie Paras: 17.7 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 3.1 APG, 2.3 BPG in 586 games.
Danny Seigle: 14.8 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 1.7 APG, 0.5 BPG in 566 games.
In terms of raw numbers, Paras had the edge. When we talk milestones, Paras piled up 10,300 points, 4,400 rebounds, 1,800 assists, and 1,300 blocks. Seigle, while still impressive, had 8,300 points and 3,100 rebounds.
Paras wins this category, but to be fair, both players’ careers were marred by injuries. Paras had to deal with multiple knee issues, while Seigle’s hamstring injuries kept sidelining him during crucial stretches.
ACCOLADES AND LEGACY
Now, let’s dive into their achievements:
BENJIE PARAS
2-time MVP, 1-time BPC, 5-time Mythical First Team, 3-time Mythical Second Team, 1 Finals MVP, Rookie of the Year, 2-time All-Star MVP, and 4 championships. Oh, and he’s also one of the PBA’s 40 Greatest Players. His trophy cabinet is stacked.
DANNY SEIGLE
4-time Finals MVP, 2-time BPC, 3-time Mythical First Team, 1-time Mythical Second Team, Rookie of the Year, and 8 championships.
He’s also remembered as one-half of "The Two Dannys" alongside Danny Ildefonso, which resulted in multiple championships for San Miguel. But sharing the spotlight with Ildefonso meant that Seigle’s accolades took a hit. While Ildefonso walked away with 2 MVP trophies, Seigle had to "settle" for FOUR Finals MVP honors.
WHO WON?
Paras and Seigle were generational talents who defined different eras. Paras’ career, marked by his historic MVP-Rookie season and his comeback MVP a decade later, solidifies him as one of the all-time greats. He was a dominant two-way player, excelling in scoring, rebounding, and defense. I have him as a Top 10 player of all time.
Seigle, meanwhile, was an offensive juggernaut and the cornerstone of San Miguel’s dynasty during the early 2000s. His pairing with Danny Ildefonso gave San Miguel one of the most fearsome tandems in league history, but it also meant he never got the full shine he probably deserved.
When it comes to individual brilliance, Paras edges out Seigle. His all-around game, combined with his accolades, milestones, and historical significance, gives him the upper hand. Seigle may have more championships, but Paras’ two MVPs—one of which came a decade apart—cement his legacy as the better all-around player.
THE WINNER: BENJIE PARAS
