1988 San Miguel Beermen season

The 1988 San Miguel Beermen season was the 14th season of the franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

Off-Season Acquisition

• The San Miguel Beermen got a prized catch during the off-season, as they were able to lure 1985 MVP Ricardo Brown to join the team, after five years of serving the Gokongwei franchise, other than Brown, no other changes were made as the core of the championship squad remain intact, with only Alfredo Jarencio who left, and moved to Great Taste to fill the void left by Brown.

Notable Events

• When Purefoods center Ramon Fernandez was bench in Game 2 of the All-Filipino finals and subsequently banished for the rest of the series, San Miguel began to ponder the possibilities, On September 15, San Miguel Beer representative Jose "Nono" Ibazeta reportedly called Purefoods Chairman and President Rene Buhain on a possible swap between Ramon Fernandez and their center two-time MVP Abet Guidaben, the next morning, a deal was sealed sending Guidaben to Purefoods, and a homecoming for Don Ramon, who first played with San Miguel in the early 70s, the trade between the two league pioneers was a repeat of a similar swapped that took place in 1985.

Season Recap

• San Miguel Beer's quest for another title-run, started on an impressive note, winning over newcomer and highly-touted Purefoods Hotdogs, 119-104 on Opening day, March 20, the beermen lived up to its billing as the team to beat in the Open Conference, winning the tightly-fought series over Purefoods in seven games, coming back from being down 2-3 to take the last two games and repeated as back-to-back champions.
• the beermen lost its first two matches in the All-Filipino but went on to top the eliminations tied with Purefoods Hotdogs at 8-win, 4-loss, San Miguel Beer ended up playing Anejo Rum 65 in a do-or-die game for the right to faced Purefoods in the finals, blew an 11-point lead starting the final period and lost 102-100, the team placed fourth, losing to Alaska, 2-1 in the best-of-three series for third place.
• With the PBA ruling, one old, one new import, Playing Coach Norman Black had no choice but to find another partner, instead of Bobby Parks, who led his team to the title last season, the beermen signed up a former Seattle Sonic Michael Phelps, On October 2, start of the Reinforced Conference, San Miguel Beer and Purefoods, two teams involved in a blockbuster trade, took on the floor as fans wanna see Fernandez and Guidaben with their new teams, San Miguel rout a listless Purefoods Hotdogs, 150-122 as Michael Phelps tallied 50 points, the beermen had an easier time reaching the finals and winning the championship as they easily disposed Shell Rimula X Diesel Oilers, 4-1 for their second title of the season and fifth overall crown. Samboy Lim was voted best player of the finals series.

Roster

• I - Import
• T - Traded
• A - Acquired via trade