The 1985 Magnolia Ice Cream Makers season was the 11th season of the franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). Known as Magnolia Quench Plus in the Reinforced Conference.
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Award
Coach Norman Black won Best Import honors in the Open Conference.
Summary
The Magnolia Ice Cream Makers (formerly Gold Eagle Beer) had the returning Norman Black, the shortest among the six reinforcements in the Open Conference, as their import and who now calls the shots for the team as their playing-coach. In their first game on March 5, Magnolia escaped with an 88-87 victory over Manila Beer for their first win of the season. The Ice Cream Makers finished the eliminations with a 7-5 won-loss slate, tied with Northern and a game behind semifinalist Great Taste and Tanduay at 8-4. Magnolia advances into the next round by posting two wins in the quarterfinals. In the semifinal round, the Ice Cream Makers won their first two outings before losing to Great Taste. During the last playing date of the semifinals on May 16, Magnolia and Great Taste arranged a title-showdown for the Open crown by winning over Tanduay and Northern respectively. Magnolia lost to powerhouse Great Taste Coffee Makers in the finals in six games.
In the All-Filipino Conference, Magnolia won their first game against Manila Beer, 99-91 on June 23, but lost against the four other teams in the first round of eliminations. The Ice Cream Makers were ousted by Great Taste in a 108-128 loss on July 23, finished last with 3 wins and 7 losses.
Playing-coach Norman Black suited up anew as their import for the Reinforced Conference. The team was now known as Magnolia Quench Plus. After losing their first game to Great Taste on September 8 by one point, 111-112, the Thirst Quenchers won seven of their next eight games in the eliminations to overtake the Manila Beer Brewmasters on top of the standings. Magnolia dropped their last three matches for a 7-5 won-loss slate in a triple-tie with Ginebra and Northern at second place. Magnolia lost to Ginebra, 98-106, in a playoff for an outright semifinals berth on October 24. The Thirst Quenchers snapped a four-game losing streak by defeating Northern in their first game in the quarterfinal round, but Tanduay played a spoiler's role in their next outing, denying Magnolia of a semifinals seat in a 123-118 victory. On October 31, Magnolia led in all three quarters against rival and grandslam-seeking Great Taste Coffee Makers, when they lost in the endgame, 101-106, in a match that also saw a post-game fist fight that occurred between teammates Rudy Distrito and Joey Loyzaga after the final buzzer when Distrito and Melchor Ravanes had a heated argument with Joey's brother, Chito Loyzaga of Great Taste. The win by the Coffee Makers forces a do-or-die playoff game with Magnolia for the last semifinals berth. In the knockout match on November 3, the Thirst Quenchers, playing without the suspended Rudy Distrito, lost to Great Taste for the fourth time in the conference, 95-99, and were eliminated.
Scoring record
October 13: Norman Black scored a career-high 76 points in Magnolia's 119-131 loss to Ginebra San Miguel.