1997 Mobiline Cellulars season

The 1997 Mobiline Cellulars season was the 8th season of the franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). The team change its moniker from Cellulars to Mobiline Phone Pals beginning the Governor's Cup.

1997 Mobiline Cellulars season
Head coachNorman Black
Tommy Manotoc
Owner(s)Pilipino Telephone Corporation
All-Filipino Cup results
Record9–13
(.409)
Place5th
Playoff finishSemifinals
Commissioner's Cup results
Record4–6
(.400)
Place6th
Playoff finishN/A
Governors Cup results
Record7–8
(.467)
Place5th
Playoff finishQuarterfinals
Mobiline Cellulars seasons

Off-season transactions
TRANSACTIONS
Lowell Briones Originally pick by Purefoods but dealt to the Cellulars the following day
Glenn Capacio Acquired in a trade that sent Cadel Mosqueda to Purefoods
Jeffrey Cariaso Acquired in a trade that sent Dwight Lago to Alaska Milkmen
Tonyboy Espinosa Drafted Rookie
Patrick Fran Rookie free agent signed
Franz Pumaren Acquired from San Miguel Beermen
Eric Reyes Acquired from Sunkist Orange Bottlers late last year in a trade with Eugene Quilban
Andy Seigle Drafted Rookie, Number 1 overall pick
Alvin Teng Acquired from Sunkist Orange Bottlers late last year in a trade with Jack Tanuan

Notable date

February 23: Rookie Patrick Fran saved the day for the Cellulars in the 84-78 victory over Purefoods Corned Beef Cowboys which clawed back from a 20-point deficit to come close to within three with still 71 seconds remaining. Mobiline scored their first win of the season after losing to defending champion Alaska Milkmen on opening day a week ago. [1]

Occurrences

Former San Miguel coach Norman Black became the new head coach of Mobiline Cellulars, replacing Yeng Guiao at the start of the season. [2] Coach Black steered the team to a semifinal stint in the All-Filipino Cup after two years of being a doormat. After the Cellulars got eliminated in the Commissioner's Cup, Mobiline top honcho Choy Cojuangco and RFM chairman Joey Concepcion agreed on a player-coach trade during the first week of August. Norman Black will now coached his third team in 13 years with Pop Cola while Bottlers' team consultant Derrick Pumaren will moved to the Cellulars.

Mobiline also acquired Ato Agustin from Pop Cola in exchange for Elpidio Villamin and Peter Martin. Starting the Governor's Cup, former Grandslam coach Tommy Manotoc has taken Norman Black's place at the Mobiline bench with Derrick Pumaren as his co-mentor. [3]

Roster

References
  1. "Rookie lifts Mobiline past Purefoods". Manila Bulletin Online.
  2. "Seigle-led Mobiline completes lineup". Manila Bulletin Online.
  3. "Manotoc named Mobiline head coach". Manila Standard.
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