The 1981 season was the seventh season for YCO-Tanduay in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
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Acquired three rookies during the off-season, Chuck Barreiro, Chito Loyzaga and Alex Marquez, from their farm team YCO Painters in the MICAA.
Summary
The Esquires lost their first 11 games of the season, with imports Lawyer "Boots" Taylor and Kenneth Austin only playing 4 and 6 games respectively. They were replaced by the comebacking Eugene Moore along with Mark Haymore. After 11 straight losses, Yco-Tanduay finally broke into win the column with a 121-104 triumph over fellow tailender Presto Fun Drinks on May 16. Coach Tito Eduque was replaced by former Yco and Tanduay player Freddie Webb on the Esquires' bench after 10 games. Yco-Tanduay dropped all their remaining assignments for a forgettable 1-17 won-loss record.
In the Reinforced Filipino Conference, Yco-Tanduay enlisted the services of Russell Murray as their import. The team also acquired top forward Rey Lazaro from APCOR in the MICAA. The Esquires became the third team to qualify for the round of six, posting a 5-4 won-loss card in the elimination phase. They advanced to the four-team semifinal round by ousting Open Conference champion Toyota Super Diesels, 124-118 on October 27. The Esquires lost to Presto Fun Drinks, 114-121, in a do-or-die game during the last scheduled date of the semifinal round on November 14. The winner of their match would have advanced to the finals had Crispa lost to U-Tex in the second game.
Award
Russell Murray won best import honors in the Reinforced Filipino Conference, the second recipient of the award.