The 1983 San Miguel Beermen season was the 9th season of the franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
Contents
Summary
The San Miguel Beermen, two-time finalist last season, blew a chance to forge a tie and a playoff for the last semis berth with either Gilbey's or Toyota in the All-Filipino Conference when they bowed to newcomer Manhattan Shirts in their last game in the eliminations which ousted them from the semifinal race.
Former Toyota import Donnie Ray Koonce was signed by the Beermen as their import in the Reinforced Filipino Conference. On June 23, San Miguel defeated the Crispa Redmanizers, 110-99, to finally ended Crispa's amazing 21-game winning streak that dates back to the previous conference, and handed the Redmanizers' first loss in the conference after nine straight wins. San Miguel finish with a 6-8 won-loss slate in a tie with Sunkist Juice Lovers (formerly Manhattan), whom they beat, 119-103, in a playoff on July 17, to advance into the quarterfinal round. On July 21, Donnie Ray Koonce scored 57 points to lead San Miguel in a come-from-behind 135-132 win over his former team Toyota, thereby eliminating the Silver Coronas. The Beermen were beaten by Tanduay, 107-118, in their next game on July 24, as they missed out the semifinal round for the second straight conference.
Donnie Ray Koonce team up with another returnee Rich Adams, formerly of N-Rich/Great Taste last season, for the Open Conference. The Beermen had an even 7-win, 7-loss card after the elimination round and they made it this time as the last team to complete the semifinal cast, following a 108-104 victory over Tanduay in a knockout game on November 10. San Miguel were tied with three other teams; Crispa, Great Taste and Gilbey's, after the double-round semifinals with 3 wins and 3 losses each, the Beermen lost to Grandslam-seeking Crispa Redmanizers, 120-130, in a playoff for a finals berth on November 26, placed third with a 2-1 series win against Gilbey's Gin.
Roster
Team Manager: Jose Ibazeta, Jr.