Crispa disbanded (Feb. 1, 1985)

Crispa’s legendary run in the PBA came to an end before the start of the 1985 season after an agreement was reached to sell its franchise to Shell.

Crispa bows out of PBA

Bulletin Today

Published Saturday Feb. 2, 1985

Crispa’s once mighty Redmanizers, the Philippine Basketball Association’s winningest team with a record 13 championships in 10 years, including two grand slams, are bowing out of the professional cage scene.

Reason: Crispa has sold out lock, stock and barrel, to Shell Chemicals, a 60 percent Filipino-owned company engaged in agricultural development.

Danny Floro, Crispa team owner-manager, confirmed Crispa’s “temporary disbandment” last night. “Definitely, we are out of the first conference,” Floro said. “If we can get new players from the amateur pool released by the PBA, then we might field a young team in the second or third conference.”

The deal with Shell Chemicals was solely negotiated with the PBA management which acted in Crispa’s behalf. “I gave them (the PBA) blanket authority to negotiate for us,” Floro said. “Whatever is the decision of the PBA will be binding on Crispa.”

All the contracts of Crispa’s remaining players were absorbed by Shell Chemicals under the agreement. But Shell sources said not all the Redmanizers will be retained. Only five — Bai Cristobal, Padim Israel, William Pearson, Lim Eng Beng and Fritz Gaston — were sure of staying with the team as of yesterday.

Shell management, it was gathered, is still in the process of determining what to do with the rest of the players. Those who will not be retained will be traded, the source added.

Fortunato Co, Jr., the sweet-shooting Crispa guard, was reported set to transfer to Beer Hausen. But the other Crispa first stringers like Philip Cezar, Bernard Fabiosa, Elpidio Villamin and Padim Israel are expected to be traded.

It is understood that Shell Chemicals will have the first crack in the player’s draft which started yesterday, followed by Tanduay, Gold Eagle, Beer Hausen, Gilbey’s Gin and Great Taste Coffee.

it was reported that Shell Chemicals wanted a young team. This means that Shell will tap at least four of the 16 amateurs released to the PBA draft this week.

Shell Chemicals has reportedly tapped Freddie Webb, a former national player and one-time coach of Yco and Tanduay Rhum, to handle the new squad, with Rafael Hernaez as team manager.

Negotiations between the PBA and Shell have been going on for sometime after Crispa signified its intention to sell. It was noted that Crispa was having financial trouble due to the economic pinch.

Floro, however, said the sale of Crispa franchise “Is without prejudice to Crispa’s rejoining the league anytime under the same conditions and privileges as a charter member.”

Crispa’s disbandment came barely a year after arch rival Toyota also sold out.