1997 Formula Shell Zoom Masters season

1997 Formula Shell season
Head coach	Chito Narvasa
All-Filipino Cup results Record 5–9 (.357) Place 8th Playoff finish N/A Commissioner's Cup results Record 8–10 (.444) Place 5th Playoff finish Semifinals Governor's Cup results Record 2–12 (.143) Place 8th Playoff finish N/A Stats @ PBA-Online.net Formula Shell seasons 1996 1998

The 1997 Formula Shell Super Unleaded season was the 13th season of the franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

Off-season transactions

TRANSACTIONS
Ernesto Ballesteros ^Drafted Rookie
Johnedel Cardel ^Signed via free agency; release by Sta.Lucia
Jay Mendoza ^Drafted Rookie
Giovanni Pineda ^Signed via free agency; release by Alaska

Summary

Formula Shell lost three of their first four games in the All-Filipino Cup, the Zoom Masters were held down to only 56 points by the San Miguel Beermen in a 56-79 loss in San Fernando, Pampanga on March 1. Shell scored their second win in five games on March 7, winning over Alaska, 78-70. ^[1] The Zoom Masters were the first to be eliminated from the semifinal race, losing their last game in the eliminations to Sta.Lucia and finish at the bottom of the standings along with Pop Cola with a 5-9 won-loss slate.

Former San Miguel import John Best is on his second stint in the PBA as Shell hired his services instead of last year's Commissioner's Cup best import Kenny Redfield, who moved to Sta.Lucia. Best scored 41 points in his Shell debut as the Zoom Masters beat All-Filipino Cup champions Purefoods Corned Beef Cowboys, 114-106, in the opening game of the Commissioner's Cup on June 13. ^[2] Shell makes it to the semifinal round by winning their last four games in the eliminations against Purefoods, 103-93 on July 4, San Miguel, 79-75 on July 8, Mobiline, 105-89 on July 13, and Alaska, 100-97 on July 20, they were tied with three other teams at first place with a 6-4 won-loss slate. ^[3] The Zoom Masters won just two of their eight semifinal outings and ended up at fifth place.

Seven-time best import Bobby Parks played in his 11th season in the PBA but was injured after seeing action for three games in the Governor's Cup, ^[4] Parks was replaced by Dennis Williams. The Zoom Masters were winless in six starts before finally getting their first win on October 14, with Williams scoring 35 points in Shell's 101-96 win over Pop Cola. ^[5] The Zoom Masters would only win one more game and lost all their remaining matches in the elimination round for a lowly 2-wins, 12-loss slate.

Roster

Pos. No. Player School G 00 Rommel Santos College of Staten Island G 5 Ronnie Magsanoc UP-Diliman G 6 Johnedel Cardel De La Salle F 8 Alejandro Lim University of Visayas F 9 Jay Mendoza Mapua Tech G 10 Richie Ticzon Ateneo de Manila F 11 Peter Naron University of Visayas G 12 Porferio Marzan University of Baguio C 14 Benjie Paras UP-Diliman F 16 Estong Ballesteros UST C 25 Giovanni Pineda Adamson University C 32 Jolly Escobar UE F 33 Victor Pablo FEU F 4 John Best (C) Tennessee Technological University F 22 Bobby Parks (G) Memphis State University F Dennis Williams (G) Position Name/s Head coach:  Chito Narvasa Assistants: Perry Ronquillo (C) - Commissioner's Cup Import, (G) - Governor's Cup Import '

References

1. Shell shocks Alaska
2. Shell, Gordon's topple rivals
3. Shell zooms to semifinals, masters Alaska five
4. Euro league veteran replaces injured Parks
5. Shell finally gets first win