1998 Formula Shell Zoom Masters season

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

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 play-off, 84-80)
Governors' Cup results
Record17–12
(58.6%)
Place1st
Playoff finishFinals (defeated Mobiline 4-3)
Formula Shell seasons

Off-season transactions
TRANSACTIONS
Noy Castillo 2nd overall pick chosen by San Miguel; Acquired from the Beermen in a trade with their top draft pick Danny Ildefonso
Joel Dualan Drafted Rookie
Gerald Esplana Acquired from Sta.Lucia when they traded Ronnie Magsanoc
Chris Jackson Acquired from Sta.Lucia when they traded their rights in next year's first round pick

Notable date

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

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

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.

Main article: 1998 PBA Governors Cup Finals

Roster
1998 Formula Shell Governors' Cup roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.Nat.NameHt.Wt.Age
F 3 Jackson, Chris 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) San Bernardino
G 4 Castillo, Noy 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) Citadel College
F 8 Lim, Jojo 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) University of Visayas
F 9 Mendoza, Jay 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) Mapua Tech
G 10 Ticzon, Richie 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) Ateneo de Manila
G 12 Marzan, Porferio 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) University of Baguio
C 14 Paras, Benjie 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) State U
F 19 Dualan, Joel 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) University of Manila
F 21 Williams, Donald (I) 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) North Carolina
F/C 25 Best, John (I) 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) Tennessee Tech
G 30 Esplana, Gerald 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) Far Eastern
G 31 Santos, Rommel 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) Staten Island
F/C 32 Escobar, Jolly 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) UE
F 33 Pablo, Victor 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) Far Eastern
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
  • Joey Guanio
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (I) Import
  • Injured

Transactions

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

Recruited imports
Tournament Name Number Position University/College
Commissioner's Cup Bobby Parks 22 Forward Memphis
John Best 25 Forward/Center Tennessee Tech
Commissioner's Cup and Governor's Cup
Governors' Cup
Donald Williams 21 Forward North Carolina

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