1998 Formula Shell Zoom Masters season

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
1998 Formula Shell season
Head coachChito Narvasa
Perry Ronquillo
All-Filipino Cup results
Record4–7
(36.4%)
Place8th
Playoff finishN/A
Commissioner's Cup results
Record9–10
(47.4%)
Place4th
Playoff finish(defeated by Pop Cola in third place playoff)
Governors' Cup results
Record17–12
(58.6%)
Place1st
Playoff finishChampions (defeated Mobiline 4-3)
Formula Shell seasons
← 1997
1999 →

The 1998 Formula Shell Super Unleaded season was the 14th season of the franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

Draft picks[edit]

Round Pick Player Nationality College
1 1 Danny Ildefonso  Philippines National
2 10 Joel Dualan  Philippines Manila
3 17 Randy Alcantara  Philippines Mapúa
4 23 Melchor Crisostomo  Philippines Manila

Notable date[edit]

February 17: Richie Ticzon attempted a desperation three-pointer and was fouled by Boars forward Noli Locsin. He sank all three free throws to give Shell an 86-85 overtime victory over Gordon's Gin for their first win of the season after losing their first four games in the All-Filipino Cup. Victor Pablo led the Zoom Masters valiant effort with 33 points, 13 in the fourth quarter.[1]

Occurrences[edit]

Coach Chito Narvasa has filed a leave of absence with only four games left for the Zoom Masters in the All-Filipino Cup eliminations. Assistant coach Perry Ronquillo was named interim coach and led the team to three victories but failed to advance in the next round.[2]

Shell's former coach Chito Narvasa has moved over to the Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs as their new coach beginning the Commissioner's Cup.

Bobby Parks played two games in the Commissioner's Cup before John Best on his third stint in the PBA takes over as the Zoom Masters' import.

Shell release Estong Ballesteros to the Pangasinan Presidents in the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) during the middle of the year. Shell was fined P50,000 for failing to inform the PBA office.

Championship[edit]

John Best teamed up with the streak-shooting Donald Williams for the Centennial Cup and Governors Cup tournament. Shell beat Ginebra in their semifinal playoff, 78-75 in overtime on October 4, to reach the Centennial Cup finals against Mobiline, Williams finish that game with 39 points and hitting eight triples. In a one-game championship on October 6, Shell lost to Mobiline in overtime by a point, 66-67.

In the Governor's Cup, John Best and Donald Williams wouldn't be denied as the Zoom Masters exact revenge on the Mobiline Phone Pals, the two teams played in the finals after they knock off San Miguel Beermen and Purefoods respectively in sudden-death playoffs when all four semifinalist finish with identical 12 wins and 9 losses. Shell won over Mobiline in an exciting seven-game series by coming back from a 2-3 series deficit to win the last two games and clinch their third PBA title and the first in six years.

Roster[edit]

Formula Shell roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Nat. Name Ht. Wt. Age
F 3 United States Jackson, Chris 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) San Bernardino Valley
G 4 United States Castillo, Noy 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) The Citadel
F 8 Philippines Lim, Jojo 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Visayas
F 9 Philippines Mendoza, Jay 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) Mapúa
G 10 Philippines Ticzon, Richie 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) Ateneo
G 12 Philippines Marzan, Porferio 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) Baguio
C 14 Philippines Paras, Benjie 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) Philippines
F 19 Philippines Dualan, Joel 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Manila
G 30 Philippines Esplana, Gerry 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) Far Eastern
G 31 Philippines Santos, Rommel 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) Staten Island
F/C 32 Philippines Escobar, Jolly 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) UE
F 33 Philippines Pablo, Victor 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) Far Eastern
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
  • Philippines Joey Guanio

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • Injured Injured

Transactions[edit]

Trades[edit]

Off-season
To San Miguel Beermen
Danny Ildefonso
To Formula Shell
Noy Castillo
Off-season
To Sta. Lucia Realtors
Ronnie Magsanoc
Rights in next year's first round pick
To Formula Shell
Gerald Esplana
Chris Jackson

Released/subtractions[edit]

Player Number Position School Reason left New Team
Estong Ballesteros 16 F UST Leaving for MBA Pangasinan Presidents

Recruited imports[edit]

Tournament Name Number Position University/College Duration
Commissioner's Cup Bobby Parks 22 Forward Memphis May 22–24
John Best 25 Forward/center Tennessee Tech May 29-August 2
August 30-December 9
Commissioner's Cup
Governor's Cup
Governors' Cup
Donald Williams 21 Forward North Carolina August 30-December 9

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Shell in the win column, finally". Manila Standard.
  2. ^ "Paras' return puts zest into Shell's game". Manila Standard.