1990 Añejo Rum 65ers season

The Añejo Rum 65ers signed up Glenn Dedmon as their import in the first conference. Dedmon played six games and led the 65ers to four victories, he was replaced by Sylvester Gray, who immediately made an impact in their 120–106 win over league-leader Formula Shell on March 20. The 65ers went on a winning streak of seven games (eight overall) for an 11–2 won-loss record before their winning run was halted in the first round of semifinals by Presto Tivoli, 113–115 on April 17. Añejo Rum lost two straight games at the start of second round of the semifinals for a three-game losing streak but clinch the second finals berth on April 24 and a title clash with Formula Shell by routing Presto Tivoli, 150–113.

In the first championship of the 1990s era, crowd-favorite Añejo Rum lost to Formula Shell in the finals which ended in a walkout by the 65ers in Game Six. The Añejo coaching staff found the officiating too close for comfort as they were assessed a total of 20 fouls with import Sylvester Gray saddled with five fouls with still four minutes left in the second quarter. The two technicals slapped by referees Rudy Hines and Ernie De leon on Añejo forward Rey Cuenco triggered the walkout with still 2:52 left in the second period of Game Six, the Shell Zoom Masters on top, 62–47.

In the All-Filipino Conference, Añejo Rum won their first game against sister team San Miguel, 105-89 on June 12. [1] The 65ers raced to a 7–3 won-loss slate in the elimination round and are tied at second with Purefoods Hotdogs. [2] They lost their first three games in the semifinals but rebound to win the last five to avail the win-five incentive, defeating Purefoods Hotdogs, 136–125, on August 14 for the magic number fifth win and assured itself of a playoff. Añejo lost to the San Miguel Beermen, 117–132, two nights later on August 16 in a knockout game for the right to meet Presto Tivoli in another sudden-death playoff to determine Purefoods Hotdogs' finals opponent. The 65ers placed third with a 3–1 series win over San Miguel Beermen.

Last year's best import Carlos Briggs return and teamed up with Toney Mack for the Third Conference. The 65ers missed the services early of playing-coach Robert Jaworski, assistant coach Rino Salazar and three key players, Chito Loyzaga, Dante Gonzalgo and Rey Cuenco, who were members of the all-pro team in the Beijing Asian Games. Compounding their woes was the exit of Carlos Briggs, whose attitude problems convince management to replaced him after just three games in favor of Darryl Joe. In their last two outings in the eliminations with the 65ers carrying an even four wins and four loss slate, they lost a crucial game against the Alaska Airmen and were eliminated by Purefoods Hotdogs in their last game on November 8 where playing-coach Sonny Jaworski committed a punching foul on new Purefoods import Robert Paul Rose. The Big J let go of a flying elbow with seconds left of an already won ballgame by the Hotdogs. The Añejo playing-coach was fined and suspended for one game, which took effect the following season. [3]

_{Assistant Coach: Rino Salazar Team Manager: Bernabe Navarro}