The 1996 Sunkist Orange Bottlers season was the 7th season of the franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). They were known as the Sunkist Orange Juicers in the All-Filipino Cup.
Draft picks RoundPickPlayerCollege18 Joselito Rodriguez UNO-R
Occurrences Tony Harris came back as their import in the Governor's Cup, but the Hurricane could only play three games after Sunkist lost two straight matches to Shell and Purefoods. The coaching staff decided to replace Harris with new import Lester Neal.
Notable dates March 12: Vergel Meneses unloaded 14 of his 29 points in the fourth quarter and led a breakaway by Sunkist in the last eight minutes as the defending All-Filipino Cup champions pulled off a 93-84 victory over San Miguel Beermen and evened up their won-loss record to three wins and three losses.
June 21: Marques Bragg banged in a three-point play off Ronnie Thompkins with 14.5 seconds left to snap the final tie and Sunkist recovered from an early 16-point deficit to scuttle Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs, 97-93. It was the Orange Bottlers first win in three games in the Commissioners Cup.
September 29: Alvin Teng put back a miss by Tony Harris with 4.7 seconds left to lift Sunkist to a thrilling 93-91 victory over defending champion Alaska Milkmen at the start of the Governors Cup.
Roster
Transactions Additions NameDeal InformationFormer team Gerardo Santiago Rookie free agent N/A Siot Tanquingcen Rookie free agent N/A Manny Victorino Signed to a short-term contract late in the season to fill the spot of the injured Bonel Balingit Purefoods (1994)
Trades Off-season To PepsiYoyoy Villamin To SunkistAlvin Teng April 1, 1996 To San Miguel Beermen#25 Nelson Asaytono To SunkistAto Agustin, Mar Morelos
Recruited imports TournamentNameNumberPositionUniversity/collegeDurationCommissioner's CupMarques Bragg 33 Center-ForwardProvidence College June 14 to July 30Governors' CupTony Harris 22 Guard-ForwardUniversity of New Orleans September 29 to October 6Lester Neal 44 ForwardArizona State October 11 to November 24
References