1999 Pop Cola 800s season

The 1999 Pop Cola 800s season was the 10th season of the franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

Off-season transactions

Trades

On July 10, forward Vergel Meneses was traded to Barangay Ginebra in exchange for Noli Locsin. ^[1]

At the start of the quarterfinal round during the Commissioner's Cup, Pop Cola acquired Nelson Asaytono, William Antonio and a conditional first round draft pick from San Miguel Beer in a trade that sent Dwight Lago, Cris Bolado and Nic Belasco to the Beermen.

Before the Governor's Cup started, guard Boyet Fernandez was traded to Purefoods in exchange for Henry Fernandez.

Summary

Pop Cola won their first two games of the season, winning over San Miguel, 78-74 on February 10, and Barangay Ginebra, 79-77 on February 14. The 800s were five wins and three losses after the first round of eliminations in the All-Filipino Cup. ^[2] Pop Cola lost four straight games at the start of the second round and finish with an overall 7-9 won-loss slate. Seeded at seventh in the quarterfinals and needed to win twice in order to advance in the semifinal playoffs, Pop Cola lost to Tanduay, 77-91.

Pop Cola's original choice for an import, Fil-American Joe Hooks was replaced and never got a chance to play in the Commissioner's Cup. ^[3] The 800s bring in Galen Robinson, who lasted three games and failed to give Pop Cola a victory, his replacement was Jevon Crudup. Winless in four starts with Vergel Meneses moving to Barangay Ginebra in a trade with Noli Locsin, Pop Cola finally scored their first win against Shell on July 18 in a low-scoring contest, 54-52. ^[4] Crudup also lasted three games and was sent home in favor of Tremaine Fowlkes in the 800s' last two assignments in the eliminations which they lost.

Coach Norman Black's woes continues in the Governor's Cup as Pop Cola failed to win a single game in all their eight matches in the eliminations. The RFM ballclub had their worst season since their first year in 1990 as an expansion franchise.

Roster

Pos. No. Player School G 1 Jon Ordonio Master's College C 2 Ali Peek Saint Mary's College F 5 Brixter Encarnacion San Sebastian College F 6 Noli Locsin (A) De La Salle G 7 Jasper Ocampo San Sebastian College F 11 Marcelino Morelos University of the East F 11 Nelson Asaytono (A) University of Manila C 16 Ruel Buenaventura University of the East F 22 Henry Fernandez (A) University of Visayas G 34 William Antonio (A) Chaminade University C 35 Zaldy Realubit University of San Jose Recoletos F Galen Robinson (C) University of Houston F Jevon Crudup (C) University of Missouri F 8 Tremaine Fowlkes (C) California State University, Fresno G Dexter Boney (G) University of Nevada, Las Vegas G 31 Shawn Harvey (G) West Virginia State University F 3 Nic Belasco (T) Notre Dame College C 24 Cris Bolado (T) National University G 10 Boyet Fernandez (T) University of San Agustin F 15 Dwight Lago (T) De La Salle F 18 Vergel Meneses (T) Jose Rizal University Position Name/s Head coach:  Norman Black Assistants: Franz Pumaren (C) - Commissioners Cup Import, (G) - Governors Cup Import, (T) - Traded, (A) - Acquired via trade, '

^{Team Manager: Elmer Yanga}

References