1999 Formula Shell Zoom Masters season

The 1999 Formula Shell Super Unleaded season was the 15th season of the franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). The team became known as Shell Velocity beginning the Governor's Cup.

1999 Formula Shell season
Head coach	Perry Ronquillo
All-Filipino Cup results
Record	17–9 (.654)
Place	4th seed
Playoff finish	Champions
Commissioner's Cup results
Record	11–10 (.524)
Place	2nd seed
Playoff finish	Runner-up
Governor's Cup results
Record	4–5 (.444)
Place	5th seed
Playoff finish	QF (lost to Alaska)
Formula Shell seasons

Off-season transactions

TRANSACTIONS
Erwin Luna ^Drafted rookie; 3rd overall pick
Arnold Rodriguez ^Drafted rookie
Dennis Harrison ^Drafted rookie

Summary

The Shell Zoom Masters won their first two games of the season but dropped to two wins and five losses after a five-game losing streak. Shell got back into contention in the All-Filipino Cup by winning seven of their last nine outings to finish in a tie with two other teams, Alaska at Tanduay at second place in the team standings and seeded fourth with a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals.

Shell makes it to the semifinals by defeating San Miguel Beermen, 79-73. The Zoom Masters surprisingly scored a 3-0 sweep off Barangay Ginebra in the best-of-five semifinal series and didn't allow the Gin Kings to pull an upset like they did against Mobiline twice. Formula Shell is in the finals for the second straight conference and will play the Tanduay Rhum Masters, who were led by the fearsome duo of rookies Eric Menk and Sonny Alvarado. Behind the likes of Benjie Paras, Victor Pablo, Chris Jackson and point guard Gerry Esplana, Shell spoiled Tanduay's bid for a cinderella finish as the Zoom Masters emerge victorious with a 4-2 series win to repeat as back-to-back champions and becoming the 10th team to win the prestigious All-Filipino Cup trophy.

John Best is playing in his fifth conference as Shell rehired his services as their import in the Commissioner's Cup. The Zoom Masters made it to the finals for the third straight conference by winning their best-of-five semifinal series against Sta.Lucia, three games to two. The Zoom Masters played opposite the San Miguel Beermen in the championship and lost in six games and had to settle for runner-up honors this time.

Known as Shell Velocity in the Governors Cup, Bobby Parks and another former import Lester Neal each played in Shell's outings in the elimination round and with one game left in their schedule, the Turbo Chargers signed up former Cleveland Cavalier John Morton, who scored 50 points in his debut in Shell's 85-91 loss to Alaska on November 10. Shell were seeded fifth in the quarterfinal round with a twice-to-beat disadvantage against Alaska Milkmen. Their bid for a fourth straight finals appearance comes to a halt four days later after Alaska repeated with a 77-65 win.

Notable dates

March 19: The Zoom Masters finally end a five-game losing streak with a 64-60 victory over Sta.Lucia and improved its win-loss record to 3-5. Jun Marzan's pesky defense paid off at the right time while Noy Castillo scored the crucial baskets. [1]

March 24: Shell notched its fourth win in nine games with a 68-58 victory over San Miguel Beermen. Victor Pablo scored 20 points and Benjie Paras added 17 points with 13 rebounds and two block shots. [2]

July 2: John Best redeemed himself from two free throw misses with two conversions in the next play as Shell frustrated Kwan Johnson, Robert Parker and the new-look Sta.Lucia with a 94-90 victory. [3]

Occurrences

In Game two of the Shell-Ginebra semifinals series in the All-Filipino Cup, a brawl ensued involving Shell's Jay Mendoza and Ginebra's Wilmer Ong. The free-for-all meted a total fines of P 235,000 and suspension of players involved, Jay Mendoza was fined P 40,000 and suspended for three games.

Award

Benjie Paras won his second Most Valuable Player (MVP) trophy after 10 years since winning both the MVP plum and Rookie of the year honors.

Roster

Pos. No. Player School G 1 Dennis Harrison University of Hawaii F 3 Chris Jackson San Bernardino Valley College G 4 Noy Castillo Citadel College G 6 Arnold Rodriguez PUP F 8 Alejandro Lim University of Visayas F 9 Jay Mendoza Mapua Tech C 11 Erwin Luna Adamson University G 12 Porferio Marzan University of Baguio C 14 Benjie Paras University of the Philippines F 19 Joel Dualan University of Manila G 30 Gerald Esplana Far Eastern University G 31 Rommel Santos College of Staten Island F 33 Victor Pablo Far Eastern University F 25 John Best (C) Tennessee Technological University F 24 Lester Neal (G) Ventura College F 22 Bobby Parks (G) Memphis State University F 23 John Morton (G) Seton Hall University Position Name/s Head coach:  Perry Ronquillo Assistants: Joey Guanio (C) - Commissioners Cup Import, (G) - Governors Cup Import '

^{Team Manager: Roberto Villarosa}

References

1. "Shell turns to 'D' to trip SLR". Manila Standard.
2. "Pablo, Paras lead Shell to upset win over San Miguel". Manila Standard.
3. "Shell outguns SLR". Manila Standard.