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Crispa cage team... (continued...)
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Sources said Crispa owes the PBA some P500,000, most of which was a result of the team's lavish spending to provide tickets for its fans.

Another problem confronting Crispa was the threat of its key players to sign up only if Bernardo is replaced aside from the fact that they had been demanding astronomical salaries like most of their peers.

Although the PBA was willing to give Crispa liberal concessions in the drafting of players from the pool to beef up its lineup, sources said Floro turned these down, fearing that the Redmanizers might end up only as a whipping club.

The transaction recalled a similar deal that saw Toyota, Crispa's former arch-rival and winner of nine championships, give up its franchise to Beer Hausen last year following the business collapse of Delta Motor Corp.

Only three of original eight team franchise now remain since its start in 1975 - Great Taste, Tanduay, and San Miguel Corp.

The earlier withdrawals were Concepcion Industries, Universal Textile and Mariwasa. Crispa's loss will deprive the PBA of a lot of glamor noting that the Redmanizers had been a long attraction in the league.

Coach Virgilio "Baby" Dalupan, who gave Crispa nine titles before he joined Great Taste two years ago, said he is deeply saddened with the loss of an institution in the pro league.

Benjamin L. Oben, general manager of Shell Chemical said his company is joining the PBA in line with its policy of involvement in the national youth development effort particularly in professional basketball.

The new member is engaged in the distribution and sale of agricultural and industrial chemical. It is an affiliate of the US-based Shell International Co. The Ayala group, headed by Don Jaime Zobel de Ayala, is the majority stockholder.

(Source: Philippine Daily Express - February 2, 1985)

The PBA Shell Team's Formation:

First Trip to the All Filipino Finals