1994 Tondeña 65 Rhum Masters season

The 1994 Tondeña 65 Rhum Masters season was the 16th season of the franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

Off-season transactions

Summary

Formerly Ginebra San Miguel, the La Tondeña ballclub change its team name to Tondeña 65 Rhum Masters beginning the league's 20th season, with the retirement of their last two players to be part of all three championships of the franchise; Chito Loyzaga and Dante Gonzalgo, the league's most popular team is now built around top draft pick Noli Locsin and the rest of their players from last season. The Rhum Masters lost their first six games in the All-Filipino Cup as their losing streak reach to 14 games dating back from the Governor's Cup last year. On April 5, Tondeña 65 escaped with an 89-87 victory over Shell Rimula X for their first win in the season, ^[1] the Rhum Masters scored their second win against Alaska Milk but lost their last two games to finish last in the All-Filipino Cup.

Import Darrin Mayo played three games in the Commissioner's Cup, leading his team to a victory over Pepsi Mega, 104-103 at the start of the second conference on June 17. ^[2] Mayo was replaced by six-year NBA veteran Mitchell Wiggins, who debut with 62 points in the Rhum Masters' 106-108 loss to Swift on July 5, wherein the Meaties played without the suspended import Ronnie Thompkins. ^[3] On July 17, Wiggins scored a season-high 78 points as Tondeña defeated Sta.Lucia Realtors in Overtime, 150-148. ^[4] The Rhum Masters, from a 1-6 won-loss slate, won their last four games but were eliminated after San Miguel Beer beat Shell in the final day of the eliminations to clinch the fifth and last slot in the semifinals.

Tondeña got blasted by Shell, 110-130 in their first game in the Governor's Cup. Import Marlin Kimbrew suited up for just one game and scored 43 points in their loss to the Turbo Chargers, Kimbrew was replaced by Steve Hood, the Rhum Masters won their last two games in the eliminations against Sta.Lucia, 127-118 on October 25, and Alaska, 129-111 on October 28 where Steve Hood scored 65 points, to forge a knockout duel with Shell for the last berth in the semifinals, the Rhum Masters lost to the Turbo Chargers, 123-125 in their playoff game on October 30, and failed to advance in the next round for the third time in the season.

Roster

_{Assistant coaches: Philip Cezar / Arlene Rodriguez Team Manager: Bernabe Navarro}

References