1998 Formula Shell Zoom Masters season

The 1998 Formula Shell Zoom Masters season was the 14th season of the franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

1998 Formula Shell Zoom Masters season
Head coach	Chito Narvasa Perry Ronquillo
All-Filipino Cup results
Record	4–7 (36.4%)
Place	8th
Playoff finish	N/A
Commissioner's Cup results
Record	9–10 (47.4%)
Place	4th
Playoff finish	(defeated by Pop Cola in third place playoff)
Governors' Cup results
Record	17–12 (58.6%)
Place	1st
Playoff finish	Champions (defeated Mobiline 4-3)
Formula Shell Zoom Masters seasons

Draft picks

Round	Pick	Player	Nationality	College
1	1	Danny Ildefonso	Philippines	National
2	10	Joel Dualan	Philippines	Manila
3	17	Randy Alcantara	Philippines	Mapúa
4	23	Melchor Crisostomo	Philippines	Manila

Notable date

February 17: Richie Ticzon attempted a desperation three-pointer and was fouled by Boars forward Noli Locsin. He sank all three free throws to give Shell an 86-85 overtime victory over Gordon's Gin for their first win of the season after losing their first four games in the All-Filipino Cup. Victor Pablo led the Zoom Masters valiant effort with 33 points, 13 in the fourth quarter.

Occurrences

Coach Chito Narvasa has filed a leave of absence with only four games left for the Zoom Masters in the All-Filipino Cup eliminations. Assistant coach Perry Ronquillo was named interim coach and led the team to three victories but failed to advance in the next round.

Shell's former coach Chito Narvasa has moved over to the Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs as their new coach beginning the Commissioner's Cup.

Bobby Parks played two games in the Commissioner's Cup before John Best on his third stint in the PBA takes over as the Zoom Masters' import.

Shell release Estong Ballesteros to the Pangasinan Presidents in the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA) during the middle of the year. Shell was fined P50,000 for failing to inform the PBA office.

Championship

John Best teamed up with the streak-shooting Donald Williams for the Centennial Cup and Governors Cup tournament. Shell beat Ginebra in their semifinal playoff, 78-75 in overtime on October 4, to reach the Centennial Cup finals against Mobiline, Williams finish that game with 39 points and hitting eight triples. In a one-game championship on October 6, Shell lost to Mobiline in overtime by a point, 66-67.

In the Governor's Cup, John Best and Donald Williams wouldn't be denied as the Zoom Masters exact revenge on the Mobiline Phone Pals, the two teams played in the finals after they knock off San Miguel Beermen and Purefoods respectively in sudden-death playoffs when all four semifinalist finish with identical 12 wins and 9 losses. Shell won over Mobiline in an exciting seven-game series by coming back from a 2-3 series deficit to win the last two games and clinch their third PBA title and the first in six years.

Main article: 1998 PBA Governors Cup finals

Roster

1998 Formula Shell Zoom Masters roster

Players

Coaches

Pos. # POB Name Height Weight DOB (YYYY–MM–DD) From F 3 Jackson, Chris 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) San Bernardino Valley G 4 Castillo, Noy 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) The Citadel F 8 Lim, Jojo 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Visayas F 9 Mendoza, Jay 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) Mapúa G 10 Ticzon, Richie 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) Ateneo G 12 Marzan, Porferio 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) Baguio C 14 Paras, Benjie 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) Philippines F 19 Dualan, Joel 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) Manila G 30 Esplana, Gerry 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) Far Eastern G 31 Santos, Rommel 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) Staten Island F/C 32 Escobar, Jolly 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) UE F 33 Pablo, Victor 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) Far Eastern

Head coach Perry Ronquillo Assistant coach(es) Joey Guanio Legend (C) Team captain Injured

Transactions

Trades

Off-season

To San Miguel Beermen Danny Ildefonso

To Formula Shell Noy Castillo

Off-season

To Sta. Lucia Realtors Ronnie Magsanoc Rights in next year's first round pick

To Formula Shell Gerald Esplana Chris Jackson

Released/subtractions

Player	Number	Position	School	Reason left	New Team
Estong Ballesteros	16	F	UST	Leaving for MBA	Pangasinan Presidents

Recruited imports

Tournament	Name	Number	Position	University/College	Duration
Commissioner's Cup	Bobby Parks	22	Forward	Memphis	May 22–24
	John Best	25	Forward/center	Tennessee Tech	May 29-August 2 August 30-December 9
Commissioner's Cup Governor's Cup
Governors' Cup
	Donald Williams	21	Forward	North Carolina	August 30-December 9