The 1983 Winston Kings season was the first season of the franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). Known as Manhattan Shirtmakers in the All-Filipino Conference and Sunkist Juice Lovers in the Reinforced Conference.
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Summary
The Sanyu Group of Companies, the league's newest member who took over from the defunct U-Tex Wranglers, carried its product line Manhattan Industries of New York and were called Manhattan Shirtmakers with the Hong Kong-based Manhattan Far East subsidizing the team's training expenses. Its line-up were composed of 10 veterans and two rookies and will be handled by coach Nic Jorge. Manhattan didn't qualify in the semifinal round of the All-Filipino Conference, winning twice in seven games and placed seventh in their inaugural tournament.
The ballclub was renamed Sunkist Juice Lovers in the Reinforced Filipino Conference, coach Nic Jorge was replaced by former U-Tex import Glenn Mcdonald, who saw action for two games with Sunkist before returning to full-time coaching, he gave his spot to one-time CDCP import Ronald McCoy, who could only played one game and was replaced by Maurice Williams, a seventh-round draft pick by the Los Angeles Lakers. The Juice Lovers finish with a 6-win, 8-loss card after the elimination round and were tied with San Miguel Beer, they lost to the Beermen in a playoff game for the last quarterfinals berth.
Fortune Tobacco Corporation took over from the Sanyu Group starting the Open Conference and carried the name Winston Kings, now coached by basketball great Lauro Mumar. Winston started out with the returning Darryl Smith, a former Great Taste import, and Ed Roberson as their imports. After two games, both were replaced by former Gilbey's import Larry McNeill and Maurice Williams, who was recalled back after playing 12 games with Sunkist in the previous conference. Winston ended up last with 5 wins and 9 losses, with one of their victories best remembered for the scoring record made by Larry McNeill, hitting 88 points against Great Taste.
Scoring record
October 25: Larry McNeill set an all-time high for most points in the game by scoring 88 points in Winston' 167-163 overtime victory over Great Taste. The 88-point total output broke the previous record of 85 made by Lew Massey of Gilbey's a year before.
Third Conference
Team Manager: Pablito Bermundo