1985 PBA season

The 1985 PBA season was the 11th season of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

Season highlights

• The season marked the first time without the famed Crispa Redmanizers participating in the league. New team Shell Azodrin Bugbusters takes over the franchise of the defunct winningest ballclub.
• The PBA found a new home in the University of Life Theater and Recreational Arena (ULTRA) in Pasig after 10 years of playing at the Araneta Coliseum.
• The Great Taste Coffee Makers continued its dynasty as they won their fourth straight title during the season and almost a Grandslam of sorts. ^[1]
• A blockbuster trade took place between two-time MVP Ramon Fernandez of Manila Beer switching places with one-time MVP Abet Guidaben of Tanduay. Fernandez played his first game with the Rhum Makers starting in October.
• The year saw the birth of a never-say-die squad known as Ginebra San Miguel with the 'Big J' Sonny Jaworski becoming the player-coach of the team starting the season. The Magnolia ballclub also offered the role of playing-coach to their returning import Norman Black at the start of the year.
• Guest amateur team Northern Consolidated (NCC) won the PBA Third Conference crown over the Manila Beer Brewmasters and recorded the first-ever 4-0 finals sweep in league history.

Opening ceremonies

The muses for the participating teams are as follows:

Champions

• Open Conference: Great Taste Coffee Makers
• All-Filipino Conference: Great Taste Coffee Makers
• Reinforced Conference: Northern Consolidated (NCC)
• Team with best win-loss percentage: Great Taste Coffee Makers (44-27, .620)
• Best Team of the Year: Great Taste Coffee Makers (2nd)

Individual awards

• Most Valuable Player: Ricardo Brown (Great Taste)
• Rookie of the Year: Leo Austria (Shell)
• Most Improved Player: Padim Israel (Tanduay)
• Best Import (Open): Norman Black (Magnolia)
• Best Import (Reinforced): Michael Hackett (Ginebra)
• Mythical Five:
  • Ricardo Brown (Great Taste)
  • Willie Pearson (Great Taste)
  • Abet Guidaben (Tanduay/Manila Beer)
  • Manny Victorino (Great Taste)
  • Bogs Adornado (Shell)
• Mythical Second Team:
  • Robert Jaworski (Ginebra)
  • Willie Generalao (Tanduay)
  • Ramon Fernandez (Manila Beer/Tanduay)
  • Philip Cezar (Shell)
  • Abe King (Great Taste)
• All-Defensive Team:
  • Chito Loyzaga (Ginebra)
  • Philip Cezar (Shell)
  • Elpidio Villamin (Manila Beer)
  • Robert Jaworski (Ginebra)
  • Abe King (Great Taste)

Cumulative standings

References