Manila Beer Brewmasters
Encyclopedia
Manila Beer' was a professional basketball
team in the Philippine Basketball Association
(PBA) from 1984
-1986
. It was formed after Delta Motors, owner of league pioneer Toyota
sold the franchise to Basic Holdings, Inc, the company that owns Asia Brewery which in turn manufactures Manila Beer and Beer Hausen.
As part of the sale of Toyota, Beer Hausen acquired Toyota's players lock, stock and barrel. However, not everyone agreed to the sale as Robert Jaworski
, Francis Arnaiz
, Arnie Tuadles
and Chito Loyzaga
refused to be a part of the new team. Jaworski described the sale as a 'farce,' and that players should not be sold "por kilo." At that time, Beer Hausen was intent on making Ramon Fernandez
as the franchise player of the team with Jaworski relegated in the background.
With four players refusing to join Beer Hausen, then-PBA president Carlos "Honeyboy" Palanca III offered to take in two of the four renagade players, with Jaworski and Arnaiz joining his team, Gilbey's Gin
, while Tuadles and Loyzaga joined Great Taste
. This marked the beginning of the Jaworski-Fernandez rivalry and directly contributed at being the cornerstone in making Ginebra arguably the most popular team in Philippine basketball history with Jaworski at the forefront.
In its inaugural season, Fernandez won the MVP and led his team to the runner-up finish in the 2nd.All-Filipino Conference, losing to Great Taste via sweep, 3-0.
In 1985, the team was renamed Manila Beer and they bolstered their lineup through the acquisition of Crispa players Atoy Co, Yoyoy Villamin and Mon Cruz. before the Third conference started, Fernandez was traded to Tanduay
for Abet Guidaben
. Manila Beer made it to the finals for the second time in the Reinforced conference, and was swept in the best of seven series, 4-0 against guest team Northern Consolidated Corp. (NCC)
In 1986, powered by imports Michael Young and Harold Keeling, Manila Beer placed 2nd in the Open (3rd) Conference, losing to Ginebra San Miguel, powered by the super import tandem of Billy Ray Bates
and Michael Hackett
, 4 games to 1. In Game 4, they lost 135-145 in a classic double overtime game where Ginebra's Jaworski (who was then 40 years old), and imports Bates and Hackett all played 58 minutes. the Asia Brewery franchise would then called it quits after just three years in the league.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
team in the Philippine Basketball Association
Philippine Basketball Association
The Philippine Basketball Association , is a men's professional basketball league in the Philippines composed of 10 company-branded franchised teams. It is the first and oldest professional basketball league in Asia and the second oldest in the world after the NBA...
(PBA) from 1984
1984 PBA season
The 1984 PBA season was the 10th season of the Philippine Basketball Association . The season marked the first season without the famed Toyota squad and the final season of the 13-time league champion Crispa Redmanizers.-Champions:...
-1986
1986 PBA season
The 1986 PBA season was the 12th season of the Philippine Basketball Association .-Notable Events:*Alaska Milk marked its first participation in the league...
. It was formed after Delta Motors, owner of league pioneer Toyota
Toyota Super Corollas
The Toyota Super Corollas was a professional basketball team in the Philippine Basketball Association from 1975-1983. The team had various monikers such as the Comets, the Silver Tamaraws, the Tamaraws, the Super Diesels, the Super Corollas and the Silver Coronas.Their nine PBA titles is the...
sold the franchise to Basic Holdings, Inc, the company that owns Asia Brewery which in turn manufactures Manila Beer and Beer Hausen.
As part of the sale of Toyota, Beer Hausen acquired Toyota's players lock, stock and barrel. However, not everyone agreed to the sale as Robert Jaworski
Robert Jaworski
Robert Salazar Jaworski , also known as Sonny Jaworski, Bobby Jaworski, Robert Jaworski, Sr. or simply Jawo, is a former Philippine senator, basketball coach and Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association and PBA basketball player.Known as The Big J and called The Living Legend...
, Francis Arnaiz
Francis Arnaiz
Francis C. Arnaiz is a former Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association. He played for Toyota and Ginebra San Miguel from 1975-1986...
, Arnie Tuadles
Arnie Tuadles
Arnulfo "Arnie" Tuadles was a Filipino basketball player who once played for the fabled Philippine Basketball Association team Toyota Super Corollas. He began his career brightly as a stalwart in the MICAA, playing for the Manilabank Golden Bankers in the mid-70s before peddling his wares with the...
and Chito Loyzaga
Chito Loyzaga
Joaquin C. Loyzaga is a former Filipino basketball player. He played college ball for San Beda College before eventually going on to play professional basketball in the Philippine Basketball Association, where he became a many-time member of the All-Defensive team. Loyzaga played for Tanduay,...
refused to be a part of the new team. Jaworski described the sale as a 'farce,' and that players should not be sold "por kilo." At that time, Beer Hausen was intent on making Ramon Fernandez
Ramón Fernández
Ramon S. Fernandez is generally regarded as the greatest basketball player produced by the Philippine Basketball Association. Fernandez won four Most Valuable Player awards and a record of 19 PBA championships bagged...
as the franchise player of the team with Jaworski relegated in the background.
With four players refusing to join Beer Hausen, then-PBA president Carlos "Honeyboy" Palanca III offered to take in two of the four renagade players, with Jaworski and Arnaiz joining his team, Gilbey's Gin
Barangay Ginebra Kings
The Barangay Ginebra Kings is a professional basketball team of the Philippine Basketball Association founded in 1979 and owned by the Ginebra San Miguel, Inc., a subsidiary of the San Miguel Corporation...
, while Tuadles and Loyzaga joined Great Taste
Great Taste Coffee Makers
Great Taste Coffee was one of the Pioneer teams in the Philippine Basketball Association . The company was then known as the Consolidated Foods Corporation and their chief products included well known brands like Presto Ice Cream, N-Rich Coffee Cream, Jack & Jill Fun Snacks, Great Taste Coffee...
. This marked the beginning of the Jaworski-Fernandez rivalry and directly contributed at being the cornerstone in making Ginebra arguably the most popular team in Philippine basketball history with Jaworski at the forefront.
In its inaugural season, Fernandez won the MVP and led his team to the runner-up finish in the 2nd.All-Filipino Conference, losing to Great Taste via sweep, 3-0.
In 1985, the team was renamed Manila Beer and they bolstered their lineup through the acquisition of Crispa players Atoy Co, Yoyoy Villamin and Mon Cruz. before the Third conference started, Fernandez was traded to Tanduay
Tanduay Rhum Masters
The Tanduay Rhum Masters is a former Manila Industrial and Commercial Athletic Association , Philippine Basketball Association and Philippine Basketball League basketball team.-History:...
for Abet Guidaben
Abet Guidaben
Alberto "Abet" Guidaben is a former Philippine Basketball Association basketball player. He was part of the fabled Crispa Redmanizers ballclub that won two Grand Slams, in 1976 and 1983...
. Manila Beer made it to the finals for the second time in the Reinforced conference, and was swept in the best of seven series, 4-0 against guest team Northern Consolidated Corp. (NCC)
In 1986, powered by imports Michael Young and Harold Keeling, Manila Beer placed 2nd in the Open (3rd) Conference, losing to Ginebra San Miguel, powered by the super import tandem of Billy Ray Bates
Billy Ray Bates
Billy Ray Bates is a retired American professional basketball player. Bates played shooting guard at McAdams High in Mississippi and attended Kentucky State University....
and Michael Hackett
Michael Hackett
Michael Hackett is a retired American professional basketball player. He attended Jacksonville University where he was considered by University of Alabama at Birmingham coach Gene Bartow as "The best 6-5 player in America."'Little' Mike Hackett is Big Man on Jacksonville's Improving Team, The...
, 4 games to 1. In Game 4, they lost 135-145 in a classic double overtime game where Ginebra's Jaworski (who was then 40 years old), and imports Bates and Hackett all played 58 minutes. the Asia Brewery franchise would then called it quits after just three years in the league.
Players
Members of the PBA's 25th anniversary all-time team are in boldface.- Ramon FernandezRamón FernándezRamon S. Fernandez is generally regarded as the greatest basketball player produced by the Philippine Basketball Association. Fernandez won four Most Valuable Player awards and a record of 19 PBA championships bagged...
- #10 center-forward - Alberto "Abet" GuidabenAbet GuidabenAlberto "Abet" Guidaben is a former Philippine Basketball Association basketball player. He was part of the fabled Crispa Redmanizers ballclub that won two Grand Slams, in 1976 and 1983...
- #5 center - Lim Eng BengLim Eng BengLim Eng Beng , is a former Philippine Basketball Association player. Played from 1975–1986, he is one of the greatest players in the history of the PBA. He is much remembered playing for the U/Tex Wranglers, where he was named to the Mythical Five on two occasions, and won two championships and...
- guard - Fortunato "Atoy" Co, JrAtoy CoFortunato Co, Jr., better known as Atoy Co, is a former Philippine Basketball Association basketball player and actor who was part of the fabled Crispa Redmanizers ballclub that won two Grand Slams, in 1976 and 1983. He won the Most Valuable Player award, in 1979 and a 9-time Mythical First...
- #6 guard - Nicanor "Nick" Bulaong - #20 forward
- Emerito "Emer" Legaspi - #18 guard
- Leopoldo "Pol" Herrera - #14 forward
- Edgardo Cordero - #3 forward
- Ricardo "Ricky" Relosa - #15 center-forward
- Timoteo "Tim" Coloso - #13 guard-forward
- Elpidio "Yoyoy" Villamin - #13 forward-center
- Mon Cruz - #14 guard
- Mike Bilbao - #4 guard
- Rodolfo "Rudy" Lalota - center
- Gary Vargas - forward
- Matthew "Fritz" Gaston - guard
- Abet Gutierrez - #13 -guard
- Vic Sanchez - #12 - forward
- Angelito "Itoy" Esguerra - #16 -guard-forward
- Roberto "Bert" dela Roa - #7 - guard
Imports
- William 'Butch' Hays - 84 3rd Conference - Best Import; led the team to a 3rd place finish
- Doug Harris - 85 Open
- Lewis Brown - 85 Open (replaced Harris)
- Francoise Wise - 85 Reinforced; lost to NCC in the finals
- Butch Hays / Carlton Cooper - 86 Reinforced
- Michael Young / Harold Keeling - 86 Open; lost to Ginebra in the finals