AND ONE | Shell Turbo Chargers: The First Decade AND ONE!

With two grand slams and a couple of almost grand slams, the Crispa Redmanizers is a tough act to follow when the team disbanded in 1984. This did not stop Shell from trying to replicate their achievements. Who can ever forget their battles with Ginebra as they fought and claw for every opportunity with one of the greatest Mutt and Jeff combos in league history alongside one of the greatest PBA imports of all-time?

In this article, you’ll understand why Willie Pearson is integral in Shell’s acquisition of Victor Pablo.

The game starts now!

1985 | Shell Azodrin Bugbusters

• Shell bought the Crispa franchise. They were able to keep only four Redmanizers: Philip Cezar, Bernie Fabiosa, Bai Cristobal, and Willie Pearson.  
• Shell traded Pearson to Great Taste for Bogs Adornado.
• Shell selected Sonny Cabatu as the first-ever draft pick. Fourth-rounder Leo Austria became the Rookie of the Year.

Best Finish | Runner-Up:  All-Filipino Conference

Awards | Bogs Adornado (M5), Philip Cezar (M10 / ALLDEF), Leo Austria (ROY)

1986 | Shell Oilers

• Shell passed on the 1986 PBA Draft.

Best Finish | Third:  All-Filipino Conference

Awards | Philip Cezar (ALLDEF)

1987 | Formula Shell Spark Aiders

• Shell traded the number one pick of the 1987 PBA Draft along with Philip Cezar and Bernie Fabiosa to Great Taste for Manny Victorino and Jimmy Manansala. Top pick turned into Allan Caidic.
• Shell traded Bogs Adornado to Hills Bros. (Alaska) for Al Solis and Rey Cuenco.  

Best Finish | Fourth:  Reinforced Conference

Awards | Biboy Ravanes (ALLDEF)

1988 | Shell Rimula X

• Shell selected Ronnie Magsanoc as the second overall pick of the 1988 PBA Draft.
• Shell acquired Vic “Rambo” Sanchez, Itoy Esguerra, and Ed Cordero from the defunct Tanduay but lost Al Solis and Totoy Marquez to Purefoods.
• Bobby Parks won his first Best Import award and second overall as part of the Shell franchise.  

Best Finish | Second:  Reinforced Conference

Awards | Bobby Parks (Best Import – RC)  

1989 | Formula Shell Zoom Masters

• Shell selected Benjie Paras as the top pick of the 1989 PBA Draft. Paras would end up as the first PBA player to win the Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player trophy in the same season.
• Shell also acquired rookie Romy Dela Rosa from Anejo for Rey Cuenco.
• Shell and Presto swapped stars when the Tivolis re-acquired Manny Victorino and Shell gave Arnie Tuadles a chance to team with his brother, Calvin.

Best Finish | Second:  Open Conference

Awards | Benjie Paras (MVP, M5, ROY), Ronnie Magsanoc (M10), Bobby Parks (Best Import – OC)  

1990 | Formula Shell Zoom Masters

• Shell won their first-ever PBA title by beating Anejo in the 1990 PBA First Conference. Actually, the Zoom Masters won the series via walkout and the 65ers were fined 550,000 pesos.
• Bobby Parks became the first import since Billy Ray Bates to sweep the Best Import awards.
• Arnie Tuadles was part of the First Conference title squad and was later re-acquired by Presto due to contract dispute. The Tivolis won the All-Filipino Conference with Tuadles getting hailed as the Most Outstanding Player of the AFC Finals. Tuadles became the first player to win two titles with two different teams in the same season.

Best Finish | Champion:  First Conference

Awards | Benjie Paras (M5), Ronnie Magsanoc (M10), Bobby Parks (Best Import – 1C and 3C)

1991 | Shell Rimula X

• Gido Babilonia signed with the team. Eventually joining him are Ricky Relosa, Romy Mamaril, and former Shell player Totoy Marquez.

Best Finish | Second:  First Conference

Awards | Benjie Paras (M5), Ronnie Magsanoc (M10), Bobby Parks (Best Import – 1C)

1992 | Shell Rimula X

• Shell selected Jolly Escobar as the third overall pick of the 1992 PBA Draft.
• Shell and Pepsi swapped players. Shell would acquire the services of Paras and Magsanoc’s UP buddy Eric Altamirano alongside the rights to Leo Isaac (Pepsi traded Tonichi Yturri to Ginebra for Isaac) and in return, they would give up Leo Austria and Gido Babilonia.
• Ginebra traded Rudy Distrito and Rey Cuenco to Swift for Pido Jarencio and Sonny Cabatu. And then, Cuenco is re-acquired by Shell in exchange for Dickie Bognot. Joey Loyzaga would later join the team.
• Shell officially won a championship after their controversial first title when they defeated the San Miguel Beermen.

Best Finish | Champion:  First Conference

Awards | Benjie Paras (M10), Ronnie Magsanoc (M10), Bobby Parks (Best Import – 1C)

1993 | Shell Helix Oilers

• Benjie Paras held out for six months because he wanted out of his contract so he can play for Ginebra.
• Ricky Relosa got suspended for punching Ronnie Thompkins’ nape.
• Free agents Onchie Dela Cruz and Peter Aguilar were signed while the team acquired pioneer Abet Guidaben from 7-Up.

Best Finish | Fourth:  Commissioner’s Cup  

Awards | None

1994 | Shell Rimula X

• Shell sent Romy Dela Rosa to the Sta. Lucia Realtors in exchange of “Mr. Excitement” Bong Alvarez.
• Shell traded Rey Cuenco for Pepsi’s second-round pick (which became Cris Bade).
• Shell also signed free agents Joey Guanio, Terry Saldana, and Ric-Ric Marata.

Best Finish | Fifth:  Commissioner’s Cup  

Awards | Benjie Paras (M10)

1995 | Formula Shell Gas Kings

• For the third straight year, Shell does not own a first-round draft pick.
• This is the first season of long-time defensive specialist Jun Marzan as a Shell player.
• Frankie Lim also signed with the team.
• Towards the end of the Governors’ Cup, Shell traded Bong Alvarez to San Miguel for Victor Pablo.

Best Finish | Fourth:  Governors’ Cup  

Awards | Benjie Paras (M5)

So yeah, Pearson became Adornado which became Solis and Cuenco and then Cuenco became Romy Dela Rosa and then Dela Rosa turned into Bong Alvarez and at the end of 1995 became Vic Pablo.

Cool?

In the next installment, Shell will finally obtain the services of Mr. Cool.

To be concluded.

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