1988 PBA/IBA World Challenge Cup
| 1988 PBA PBA/IBA Cup | |
|---|---|
| Duration | September 18–25, 1988 |
| TV partner(s) | Vintage Sports (PTV) |
| Finals | |
| Champions | Añejo Rum 65ers |
| Runners-up | Alaska Milkmen |
| PBA PBA/IBA Cup chronology | |
| PBA conference chronology | |
The 1988 Coca-Cola PBA/IBA World Challenge Cup was the 2nd staging of the PBA/IBA series hosted by the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) and the International Basketball Association. The one-week event took place on September 18–25. [1]
Tournament details
Two PBA basketball clubs; All-Filipino Conference champion Añejo Rum 65ers and All-Filipino Conference third placer Alaska Milkmen were joined by the IBA representative, Los Angeles Jaguars, coached by Paul Howards, and the Australian selection, Aussie All-Stars, coached by Ken Cole. Among those playing for the Jaguars were Sean Chambers, 6'2" NBA veteran Rudy White, Tran Sawyer, Quintin Stephens. The Australian All-star team had two Americans, Jerry Everett and Rick Sharp, although a third American scheduled to play, Mark Davis was unable to make the trip. The 65ers played with only one import, Bobby Parks, borrowed from Shell, while the Milkmen were reinforced by Willie Bland and Eddie Cox.
Results
Battle for third place
September 25
|
| Los Angeles Jaguars 129, Aussie All-Stars 123 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 32-31, 28-29, 30-36, 39-27 |
Finals
September 25
|
| Añejo Rum 65ers 128, Alaska Milkmen 126 | ||
| Scoring by quarter: 36-23, 35-30, 28-46, 29-27 | ||
| Pts: Bobby Parks 59 | Pts: Willie Bland 44 | |
Romulo Mamaril came from nowhere to deliver the winning basket, struck with a lay-up in the last three seconds that shattered the 126-all deadlock and power Añejo to a 128-126 triumph over Alaska for the PBA/IBA championship. The Rum Masters led by 14 points in the third quarter but Alaska's Willie Bland rallied the Airmen back to tie the count at 97-all, a seesaw battle ensued in the final six minutes before Mamaril came through with his heroics. Añejo's Bobby Parks was named Most Valuable Player of the 2nd PBA/IBA Cup. [2]
Philips Sardines Slam Dunk competition
- Champion: Willie Bland of Alaska (144 points)
- Runner-up: Sean Chambers of LA Jaguars (133 points)
- Third place: Eddie Cox of Alaska (122 points)
IBA and WBL
In May that year, it was reported that the International Basketball Association (IBA) virtually collapsed as eight franchises bolted the organization to form a splinter league called World Basketball League (WBL). The original IBA group was left in control of only two clubs, the Los Angeles Jaguars and Syracuse Shooting Stars.
According to sources, Chicago Express owner Barry Fox led the uprising that left IBA pioneers Dennis Murphy, the man who translated the concept of an international league for 6'4" and under into reality, and Austin (Rocky) Kalish hold a nearly empty back.
The WBL sets a height limit of 6-5 for its players.
References
- ^ "Alaska faces LA in IBA opener". Manila Standard.
- ^ "Añejo whips Alaska for title". Manila Standard.
