1983 Tanduay Rhum Makers season

Summary

The Esquires missed out a berth in the round of four in the All-Filipino Conference, finishing just a game behind semifinalist Gilbey's Gin and Toyota.

Renamed as Tanduay Rhum Makers in the Reinforced Filipino Conference. The team signed up Francois Wise, formerly of disbanded U-Tex Wranglers, as their import. The Rhum Makers were the last team to enter the semifinal round after defeating San Miguel Beermen, 118-107. They lost all their six matches in the semifinals and placed third with a 3-1 series win over Gilbey's Gin in their battle for third place.

Francois Wise was Tanduay's lone import in their opening day overtime win over Gilbey's Gin at the start of the Open Conference on August 28 when their other import Reggie Gaines was sent home by coach Freddie Webb for reneging on an earlier agreement, asking for astronomical terms which were not part of the bargain when he agreed to come over. Gaines' replacement was another Philadelphia 76ers draftee George Melton. Tanduay had to win their last game in the eliminations against Toyota, 131-119 on October 27, to force a playoff with the Super Corollas for the last quarterfinals berth. Both teams finish with six wins and eight losses.

In the knockout game three nights later on October 30, the Rhum Makers rallied in the final minute to score a dramatic, come-from-behind 111-110 victory over Toyota, behind the plays of Mike Bilbao and Abet Gutierrez. The escape win eliminates the defending Open Conference champions Super Corollas for the second straight time in the season. In the quarterfinal round, the Rhum Makers were tied with Gilbey's and San Miguel with two wins and one loss and they figured in another playoff, this time for the fourth and last ticket to the semifinals against the Beermen. Tanduay lost to San Miguel, 104-108.

Scoring record

July 10: Import Francois Wise scored his personal-best of 74 points in Tanduay's 145-118 win over Great Taste.

Won-loss records vs Opponents

Roster

(I) Import

Team Manager: Johnny Jose / Jesus Bilbao

Subtraction

References

References

1. "1983 PBA Reinforced Filipino Conference Stats: Tanduay in semis over San Miguel".
2. "1983 PBA Open Conference Stats: Tanduay forces playoff, defeats Toyota".
3. "Francois Wise recalls his epic run through the PBA in the 1980s". espn.ph.