1988 PBA season

Updated on Apr 25, 2026

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Top draft pick Edgar Tanuan Open Conference champions San Miguel Beermen All-Filipino Conference champions Añejo Rum 65 Number of teams 6		Picked by Purefoods Hotdogs Runners-up Purefoods Hotdogs Start date 1988 Season MVP Ramon Fernandez
Duration March 20, 1988 – December 13, 1988 TV partner PBA on Vintage Sports (People's Television Network) Similar 1985 PBA season, 1994 PBA season, 1990 PBA season, 1998 PBA season

The 1988 PBA season was the 14th season of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

Season highlights

The Tanduay Rhum Makers filed a leave on absence for the 1988 season on January 16, 1988, citing realignment of corporate objectives. After Tanduay filed a leave, some remnants were absorbed, along with several amateur prospects by Purefoods Corporation, which joined the league after buying a franchise worth P300,000.

PBA deputy commissioner Rudy Salud became the league's third commissioner. Under Salud's leadership, the PBA soared to greater heights, the Purefoods Hotdogs' entry, along with the never-say-die attitude of the league's most popular team Añejo Rum 65ers, contributed largely to a box-office success in gate attendance.

Amateur standout Alvin Patrimonio, who was a subject of a bitter tug-of-war between the PBA's newest team Purefoods Hotdogs and his mother ballclub in the PABL, corporate rival RFM-Swifts, finally made his PBA debut on June 30.

A blockbuster trade took place before the opening of the Third Conference as veterans Ramon Fernandez of Purefoods, who was bench in the All-Filipino title-series, and Abet Guidaben of San Miguel were traded to each other by their respective ballclubs.

Ramon Fernandez won his fourth Most Valuable Player trophy as he continued his tradition of winning the prestigious award every two years starting in 1982.