Thursday, November 3, 2016


Ginebra San Miguel logo (1995-1996, 1998).

In 1995, the team reverted again to Ginebra San Miguel. They selected 7′0″ center E.J. Feihl and also drafted Jaworski's son, Robert Jr. The drafting of Feihl surprised people. They were expecting Ginebra to either draft Kenneth Duremdes or Jeffrey Cariaso at that time. Jaworski later quoted, "It's not everyday that you see a 7-footer applying for the draft." Unfortunately, misfortunes still struck the team as Ginebra won only 5 of the 30 games played that year, capped by a 0–10 win-loss record during the Governors' Cup. The worst season triggered rumors that the Gins was disbanding. But the rumor was quickly killed off after the team posted a printed advertisement in major newspapers that they were staying in the PBA. Ginebra got the top pick again in the next draft. This was the last time a PBA team with the worst record was awarded the top pick in the draft. In the succeeding drafts, the worst PBA team had to compete with the second worst team via lottery to determine the top pick in the draft.

In 1996, Ginebra used the top overall pick to draft controversial center Marlou Aquino from Adamson University. Aquino was a big star in the PBL for Nikon and Stag Pale Pilsen but was involved in a controversial scandal in terms of his academic status at Adamson, although this was later neglected when he jumped pro. Aquino showed the promise Ginebra fans expected during the All-Filipino Cup. It also showed the discovery of former University of Santo Tomas guard Bal David as one of the team's popular players along with Vince Hizon, Jayvee Gayoso, and Pido Jarencio.

In the Commissioner's Cup, the team paraded NBA veteran Henry James as Ginebra wound up in an elimination game against Formula Shell Zoom Masters. But Kenny Redfield's buzzer-beating three enabled Shell to enter the finals. Ginebra finally entered the Finals of the Governors' Cup but lost to the grand slam winning Alaska Milkmen in five games.

Aquino's impact on Ginebra gave the team a 30-game improvement from a year ago and was named as the Rookie of the Year.

In 1998, Jaworski ran for a senatorial seat for the elections which he won by a lot of votes. This led to a conflict between Jaworski's role in the Senate and his role as coach of Ginebra (named during the Commissioner's Cup). Assistant Rino Salazar was named as interim coach at one point. Ginebra still struggled despite the addition of Bong Alvarez to the team.

That year, Danding Cojuangco regained ownership of San Miguel Corporation. One of the moves the team made was adding Allan Caidic from San Miguel Beer. This caused a rift between Jaworski and the new management because he was not informed of the move. In a press conference held at the Senate, Jaworski resigned as player-coach of Ginebra.

Jaworski was considered the oldest basketball player on any roster at 52 years of age during this time before he retired.


Instead of Jaworski, the new established of the now defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA), a regional based-professional league was formed before he announced as retirement on March 7, 1998.

Tuesday, November 1, 2016


Alaska Milkmen logo (1991-2000).

The Tim Cone era (1989-2011), including Jojo Lastimosa, Johnny Abarientos, Jeffrey Cariaso and the rest of the 1996 Grand Slam of the PBA.


Sta. Lucia Realtors logo (1993-2000).


The Sta. Lucia Realtors was soled to the Presto franchise in 1993 and including the Jun Limpot and Dennis Espino era.



San Miguel Beermen alternative logo (1997-2000).