1990 Pepsi Hotshots season

The 1990 Pepsi Hotshots season was the 1st season of the franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

Draft picks

Expansion pool

Off-season transactions

• Signed rookie picks; Gilbert Reyes and Cadel Mosqueda.
• Acquired Vernie Villarias and Carlito Mejos, both draft picks by Purefoods Hotdogs, by giving up their first round pick for 1991.
• Signed rookie free agents; Rey Yncierto and Salvador Ramos.
• Signed veteran Dennis Abbatuan, who was released by Presto Ice Cream.
• Joey Loyzaga, whom they picked in the expansion pool, was traded to Pop Cola.

Summary

Newcomer Pepsi Cola, coach by the comebacking mentor Edgardo Ocampo and later former San Miguel assistant coach Derrick Pumaren, had a forgettable campaign in their first year of participation in the PBA, finishing with a lowly 2-28 record, with two wins coming at the hands of fellow expansion team Pop Cola, the Hotshots registered their first win in the opening game of the season on February 18, scoring a rousing 149-130 victory over importless Pop Cola Sizzlers, ^[1] their import Derrick Hamilton scored 77 points in that game. Pepsi lost the rest of their nine games in the eliminations and their first six matches in the All-Filipino Conference for a 15-game losing streak, the Hotshots finally broke the long, losing slump with a come-from-behind 117-111 win over Pop Cola on July 3. ^[2]

In the Third Conference, San Miguel assistant coach Derrick Pumaren accepted the offer to coach the Pepsi Hotshots, replacing Edgardo Ocampo, the Hotshots acquired veteran center Abet Guidaben, who was traded by Alaska Milk in exchange for Harmon Codiñera, former Hills Bros. import Jose Slaughter returned to replaced Alyun Taylor, who played two games, Slaughter teamed up with Jeff Hodge, the Hotshots failed to score a single victory and were shut out in 10 games in the eliminations.

Roster

_{Assistant Coach: Bobby Littaua, replaced by Gabby Velasco Team Manager: Steve Watson}

References