The Shell Turbo Chargers were a

Philippine Basketball Association The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is a men's professional basketball league in the Philippines, composed of twelve company-branded Franchising, franchise teams. Founded in 1975, it is the first professional basketball league in Asia ...

team from 1985 to 2005. It won four PBA championships, two from 1998 to 1999. Shell sold its franchise to PBL team

Welcoat Paints The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters are a professional basketball team in the Philippine Basketball Association owned by Asian Coatings Philippines, Inc. It debuted in the league in the 2006–07 PBA season after acquiring the franchise right ...

in February 2006. Aside from being known as the Turbo Chargers, Shell was also known as Shell Azodrin Bugbusters, Shell Azocord Super Bugbusters, Shell Oilers, Shell Rimula X, Formula Shell Zoom Masters, Shell Helix Oilers and Shell Velocity.

History

Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corporation Shell plc is a British multinational oil and gas company, headquartered in London, England. Shell is a public limited company with a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and secondary listings on Euronext Amsterdam and the New Yor ...

acquired the franchise of the famed

Crispa Redmanizers The Crispa Redmanizers were a multi-titled Filipino basketball team that played in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) from 1975 to 1984. It was one of the nine founding teams of the PBA, winning a total of thirteen PBA championships, ...

1985 The year 1985 was designated as the International Youth Year by the United Nations. Events January * January 1 ** The Internet's Domain Name System is created. ** Greenland withdraws from the European Economic Community as a result of a n ...

for a reported sum of two million pesos. In its debut season, the team was known as Shell Azodrin Bugbusters under head coach

Freddie Webb Freddie Nelle Webb (born November 24, 1942) is a Filipino retired basketball player and coach, former politician, and television and radio personality. Education He completed his elementary education at San Beda College and his degree in Bach ...

, with several Crispa players, including

Philip Cezar Philip Dudley Cezar (born December 1, 1952) is a Filipino former basketball coach, player and politician. Known by the monikers "Mr. Stretch", "''Tapal'' King" and "The Scholar", he was part of the fabled Crispa Redmanizers ballclub of the Phi ...

and

Bernie Fabiosa Bernie Fabiosa (born July 23, 1954) is a retired Filipino professional basketball player and actor. He spent most of his playing days with the Crispa Redmanizers in the PBA. During his heyday, he is tops in career steals, earning for himself t ...

, in addition to a former Crispa Redmanizer William "Bogs" Adornado from Great Taste and Rey Lazaro from Yco-Tanduay forming its roster. They also had the number one draft pick,

Sonny Cabatu Santiago "Sonny" Cabatu Sr. (born October 10, 1960) is a Filipino retired professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association and was the first draft pick of the league in 1985. He is also the father of current Philippine Pat ...

, the first ever top overall draft choice in league history. Shell got its first All Filipino finals berth against Great Taste when they defeated Ginebra in a rubber match. The following season in 1986, Shell carried the name Pilipinas Shell Oilers, Shell Helix and Formula Shell Spark Aiders, respectively, with Olympian

Ed Ocampo Edgardo Luciano Ocampo (October 5, 1938 – July 29, 1992) was a Filipino basketball player and coach. Early life and education Ocampo was born in Pampanga, Philippines, on October 5 1938. He was one of four children of architects Fernand ...

taking over from Freddie Webb, who resigned as Shell coach midway in the semifinals of the first conference. Shell remained a hard-luck team with national coach

Joe Lipa Jose "Joe" Lipa, Jr. is a Filipino basketball coach and executive who currently coaching the Terrafirma Dyip's 3x3 team in the PBA 3x3. Lipa formerly coached his alma mater, the University of the Philippines, in the University Athletic Ass ...

becoming Shell's third coach in 1987 3rd conference, as the team was now known as Shell Azocord Super Bugbusters. The team's rise to fame came during the late-1980s when they were bannered by two U.P.

Diliman Quezon City (, ; ), also known as the City of Quezon and Q.C. (read and pronounced in Filipino language, Filipino as Kyusi), is the richest and List of cities in the Philippines, most populous city in the Philippines. According to the 2020 c ...

standouts

Ronnie Magsanoc Ronald "Ronnie" Magsanoc (born April 11, 1966) is a Filipino professional basketball coach, analyst, and former player in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He was known for his moniker "The Point Laureate". Collegiate career Magsanoc ...

and

Benjie Paras Venancio Johnson Paras Jr. (born October 2, 1968), better known as Benjie Paras, is a Filipino actor, comedian, and retired professional basketball player who played for the Shell Turbo Chargers and San Miguel Beermen of the Philippine Basket ...

to solidify Shell as one of the more popular teams in the pro league. Former Toyota mentor

Dante Silverio Edmundo "Dante" S. Silverio Sr. (born October 17, 1937), is a Filipino painter, former basketball coach and former champion race car driver. Motorsports Silverio rose to prominence in 1972, when he captured a rare double feat, winning the In ...

was also responsible for transforming Shell to a championship-caliber ballclub with back-to-back runner-up finishes. Paras is also the only PBA player to win the Rookie of the Year and the coveted

Most Valuable Player In team sports, a most valuable player (MVP) award is an honor typically bestowed upon an individual (or individuals, in the instance of a tie) whose individual performance is the greatest in an entire league, for a particular competition, or ...

plum in the same season when the center won it all in 1989. In the

1990 Important events of 1990 include the Reunification of Germany and the unification of Yemen, the formal beginning of the Human Genome Project (finished in 2003), the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope, the separation of Namibia from South ...

PBA Open Conference, Shell won its first-ever PBA championship defeating crowd-favorite Añejo Rhum 4–2. But the series was marred by Añejo's infamous walkout in the sixth and final game of the series to award the Shell the win in Game six and the series clincher. At that time, Shell was reinforced by import

Bobby Parks Bobby Ray Parks Sr. (November 26, 1961 – March 30, 2013) was an American professional basketball player from Grand Junction, Tennessee. He played for Memphis State University (now the University of Memphis) from 1980 to 1984 and played ...

, who holds seven Best Import Awards in his PBA career, most of them with the Shell franchise. A year later, Shell suffered one of the biggest collapses in PBA finals history during the

1991 It was the final year of the Cold War, which had begun in 1947. During the year, the Soviet Union Dissolution of the Soviet Union, collapsed, leaving Post-soviet states, fifteen sovereign republics and the Commonwealth of Independent State ...

PBA First Conference, when they blew a 3–1 series lead in the series eventually losing to Ginebra in seven games on a Rudy Distrito game-winner. Shell won the

1992 1992 was designated as International Space Year by the United Nations. Events January * January 1 – Boutros Boutros-Ghali of Egypt replaces Javier Pérez de Cuéllar of Peru as United Nations Secretary-General. * January 6 ** The Republ ...

PBA First Conference crown but waited six years (20 conferences) before winning another PBA crown, by capturing the

1998 1998 was designated as the ''International Year of the Ocean''. Events January * January 6 – The ''Lunar Prospector'' spacecraft is launched into orbit around the Moon, and later finds evidence for Lunar water, frozen water, in soil i ...

Governor's Cup. They defeated the Mobiline Phone Pals in seven games. Their final championship came during the

1999 1999 was designated as the International Year of Older Persons. Events January * January 1 – The euro currency is established and the European Central Bank assumes its full powers. * January 3 – The Mars Polar Lander is launc ...

PBA All-Filipino Conference defeating heavy favorite Tanduay Rhum in six games. Shell was bannered by Paras,

Gerry Esplana Gerald "Gerry" Esplana is a former Filipino basketball player, politician and coach. He was nicknamed "Mr. Cool" and "The Plan" while playing professionally. Playing career He played for Presto Tivoli (when he won PBA Rookie of the Year), ...

Victor Pablo Victor Pablo (born August 8, 1970) is a retired Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association. Playing career A former king Tamaraw at Far Eastern University, Pablo was the second overall pick in the 1993 PBA ...

, Chris Jackson and

Noy Castillo Tito "Noy" Castillo (born August 21, 1974) is a retired Filipino-American professional basketball player who played for the Shell Velocity and Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants in the Philippine Basketball Association. PBA career Shell Velocity ...

as one of their primary players under head coach Perry Ronquilio. 1999 also became a banner year for Paras, who won his second Most Valuable Player award in his career, despite the arrival of several talented

Filipino-foreigner The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) is a men's professional basketball league in the Philippines, composed of twelve company-branded franchise teams. Founded in 1975, it is the first professional basketball league in Asia and the seco ...

players during the same season. However, injuries in the next three seasons forced Paras to retire after the 2003 season. Shell suffered several slumps in the next four seasons (

2000 2000 was designated as the International Year for the Culture of Peace and the World Mathematics, Mathematical Year. Popular culture holds the year 2000 as the first year of the 21st century and the 3rd millennium, because of a tende ...

2003 2003 was designated by the United Nations as the International Year of Fresh water, Freshwater. In 2003, a Multi-National Force – Iraq, United States-led coalition 2003 invasion of Iraq, invaded Iraq, starting the Iraq War. Demographic ...

) before resurfacing during the 2004-2005 season as one of the contenders for the PBA crown. Under head coach

Leo Austria Leovino "Leo" Austria (born March 14, 1958) is a Filipino professional basketball coach and former player who is the head coach of the San Miguel Beermen of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He previously coached the team from 2014 to ...

(who won the Rookie of the Year honors in 1985 as a player for Shell), the Turbo Chargers placed fourth in the PBA Philippine Cup and third in the season-ending 2005 PBA Fiesta Conference.

Disbandment

During the 2004-05 PBA season, Shell was rumored to be disbanding after the season because its mother company,

Royal Dutch Shell Shell plc is a British multinational oil and gas company, headquartered in London, England. Shell is a public limited company with a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and secondary listings on Euronext Amsterdam and the New ...

in the

Netherlands , Terminology of the Low Countries, informally Holland, is a country in Northwestern Europe, with Caribbean Netherlands, overseas territories in the Caribbean. It is the largest of the four constituent countries of the Kingdom of the Nether ...

believed it was no longer feasible to continue maintaining its PBA team. It was believed that port company Harbour Centre was planning to purchase the rights of the Shell franchise. However, both parties did not come into an agreement as Harbour Centre was offering less than what Shell wanted. On August 3, 2005, Shell announced that it was taking a leave of absence from the league. Before the announcement, Shell traded away most of its players.

Tony Dela Cruz Anthony Bryan Davis dela Cruz (born August 24, 1978) is a Filipino-American former professional basketball player and coach. He played majority of his career for the Alaska Aces of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), where he also serv ...

and

Rich Alvarez Richard Alvarez (born October 30, 1980) is a Japanese-born Filipino professional basketball coach and former player who is an assistant coach for the Basilan Starhorse of the MPBL. He played his whole career in the Philippine Basketball Associ ...

were dealt to the Alaska Aces while

Ronald Tubid Ronald Tubid (born October 15, 1981) is a Filipino professional basketball coach and former player who is the assistant coach and team manager of the Terrafirma Dyip of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He last played for the San Migu ...

was sent to the Air21 Express. The remaining members of the team were selected through the dispersal draft. Shell was given a six-month deadline for the team to either return to the league in the next PBA season or sell the team to a prospective buyer. In January 2006, PBL powerhouse

acquired the franchise for and entered the league in the 2006-07 PBA season.

Season-by-season records

Awards

Individual awards

PBA Press Corps Individual Awards

All-Star Weekend

Notable players

PBA 25 greatest players

* William "Bogs" Adornado #33 - played for Shell in its inaugural year *

#81 & #18 - "The Sultan of Swat"/"The Scholar"/"Mr. Stretch"/"King Philip" played for Shell in its inaugural year *

#51 & #15- "The Sultan of Swipe"/"Fabulous" played for Shell in its inaugural year *

Abet Guidaben Alberto "Abet" Guidaben (born September 14, 1952) is a Filipino former professional basketball player in the PBA. He was part of the fabled Crispa Redmanizers ballclub that won two Grand Slams, in 1976 and 1983. He was a two-time PBA Most Va ...

#41 - final team he played before ending his PBA career *

Freddie Hubalde Alfredo Hubalde (born September 14, 1953), also known as Freddie Hubalde, is a retired Filipino professional basketball player in the PBA. Collegiate career Hubalde played college ball for the Mapúa Institute of Technology, before eventuall ...

#10 - played for Shell in 1989. *

#5 - "The Point Laureate"/"The Navigator" led Shell to two championships, many time All-Star and Mythical team selections *

#14 - "The Tower of Power" is a 2-time PBA MVP, only player to win the Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player in the same season (1989)

Other notable players

* Dennis Abbatuan #42 *

Paul Alvarez Paul Beleno "Bong" Alvarez (born June 15, 1968) is a Filipino former professional basketball player of the Philippine Basketball Association and politician. Dubbed as "Mr. Excitement" because of his high-leaping, slam-dunking acts. Basketball c ...

#21 * Romeo Ang #10 *

#10 - 2004-05 Rookie of the Year *

Eric Altamirano 2015- Present Program Director National Basketball Training Center 2022 FIBA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS MANILA Tournament Director for Games Frederick "Eric" Altamirano (born August 8, 1966 in Davao City) is a former Filipino basketball player and he ...

#11 *

#13 - 1985 Rookie of the Year * Gido Babilonia #25 * Edwin Bacani #6 * Cris Bade #19 & #10 *

Rensy Bajar Rensy Bajar (born October 6, 1976) is a Filipino basketball coach currently serves as lead assistant coach for the NorthPort Batang Pier of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He's also coaching the Diliman Blue Dragons of UCAL (formerl ...

#7 * Estong Ballesteros #16 * Richard Bognot #24 *

#5 *

Chris Calaguio Christian Jay Calaguio (born December 26, 1975, in Makati, Philippines) is a Filipino former professional basketball player. He last played for the San Miguel Beermen in the Philippine Basketball Association. He is a former San Beda Red Cub cage ...

#9 * Erick Canlas #16 * Johnedel Cardel #6 *

#4 * Benny Cheng #16 * Pat Codinera * Tim Coloso #32 * Ed Cordero #3 * Arturo Cristobal #7 * Celino Cruz #1 *

Rey Cuenco Reynaldo "Rey" Cuenco (March 17, 1960 – August 15, 1996) was a Filipino former professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association. Career highlights A native of Pampanga, Rey became part of the Masagana 99 team in the PAB ...

#9, #25 & #18 * Arthur del Rosario #34 *

Onchie dela Cruz Ramon "Onchie" Dela Cruz (born November 27) is a retired Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). He also took acting, acting roles in various Philippine Movie Award-giving Bodies, Filipino movies ...

#7, #9 & #8 *

Tony dela Cruz Anthony Bryan Davis dela Cruz (born August 24, 1978) is a Filipino-American former professional basketball player and coach. He played majority of his career for the Alaska Aces of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), where he also serv ...

#35 * Romeo dela Rosa #12 * Allan delos Reyes #16 * Tito Demetrio * Joel Dualan #19 * Ed Ducut #19 * Brixter Encarnacion #5 * Jolly Escobar #32 * Itoy Esguerra #16 * Carlo Espiritu #77 * Gerry Esplana #30 * Kalani Ferreria #11 * Aris Franco #9 * Allan Garrido #21 * Eric Gascon #9 * Joey Guanio #6 * Abet Gutierrez #3 * Dennis Harrison #1 * Leopoldo Herrera #14 *

Mike Hrabak Michael Allen Pasana Hrabak (born August 27, 1979) is a Filipino-Turkish former professional basketball player. He last played for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters of the Philippine Basketball Association. He was drafted second overall by She ...

#32 * Freddie Hubalde #19 & #10 * Leo Isaac #9 * Chris Jackson #3 * Elmer Lago #20 * Epoy Jalmasco #6 * Jimmy Javier+ #52 * Menardo Jubinal #11 *

Eddie Laure Eddie Bicoy Laure (born July 6, 1977) is a Filipino former professional basketball player and politician. Known by many as The Dominator and more recently, The Bounty Hunter for his daring and stunning ability to search and get loose balls on th ...

#11 * Rey Lazaro #12 * Marlon Legaspi #29 * Frankie Lim #22 * Alejandro Lim #8 * Joey Loyzaga #17 * Ronnie Lucero #31 * Erwin Luna #11 * Billy Mamaril #2 * Romy Mamaril #4 * Jimmy Manansala #11 & #1 * Manuel Marquez #17 & #71 * Jojo Martin #10 * Porferio Marzan #12 * Ricric Marata #23 * Jay Mendoza #9 * Peter Naron #11 * Romulo Orillosa #28, #22, #68 & #15 *

#33 * Willie Pearson #33 * Giovanni Pineda #24 * Aldo Perez #26 * Jay Ramirez #2 *

Biboy Ravanes Melchor "Biboy" Ravanes (born January 6, 1959) is a former Filipino professional basketball player and former head coach of the San Miguel Beermen in the Philippine Basketball Association. Prior to this, he was SMB's longtime assistant coach. ...

#6 * Ricky Relosa #15 * Arnorld Rodriguez #6 * Jing Ruiz #8 *

Mark Telan Mark Clemence Telan (born January 12, 1976) is a Filipino former professional basketball player. He last played for the Talk 'N Text Tropang Texters in the Philippine Basketball Association. A former De La Salle Green Archer, he was 2-time UAAP ...

#13 * Richie Ticzon #10 * Arnie Tuadles #11 * Calvin Tuadles #33 *

Terry Saldaña Antero Saldaña (November 17, 1958 – February 1, 2023) was a Filipino professional basketball player who played his entire career in the Philippine Basketball Association. Player profile Coming straight from the MICAA, Saldaña was signed t ...

#17 * Rommel Santos #00 & #31 * Carlo Sharma #27 * Dale Singson #15 * Rainier Sison #18 * Ervin Sotto #30 * Adonis Sta. Maria #16 *

#8 * Manny Victorino #1 * Rob Wainwright #5 & #33 * Roger Yap #13

Imports

Rich Adams Rich Adams (born July 1, 1956) is an American former basketball player. He played four years with the University of Illinois varsity in the NCAA, averaged 5.1 points as a freshman in coach Gene Bartow's only season with the fighting Illinois. Th ...

#40 * Dwight Anderson #0 *

Vincent Askew Vincent Jerome Askew (born February 28, 1966) is an American former professional basketball player who played for nine seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA) for eight different teams. A 6'6" guard-forward, Askew played college bas ...

#30 * George Banks * Jarvis Basnight #2 * John Best #4 & #25 *

Tim Breaux Timothy Breaux (born September 19, 1970) is an American former professional basketball player. Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Breaux attended the University of Wyoming and joined the Continental Basketball Association's Sioux Falls Skyforce an ...

#15 * James Brewer #15 * Luther Burks #21 * Steve Burtt #15 *

Howard Carter Howard Carter (9 May 18742 March 1939) was a British archaeologist and Egyptology, Egyptologist who Discovery of the tomb of Tutankhamun, discovered Tomb of Tutankhamun, the intact tomb of the Eighteenth Dynasty of Egypt, 18th Dynasty Pharaoh ...

#32 * Michael Clarke #30 *

Steve Colter Steve Colter (born July 24, 1962) is an American former professional basketball player who played in eight NBA seasons for six different teams. He played for the Portland Trail Blazers, Chicago Bulls, Philadelphia 76ers, Washington Bullets, Sacr ...

#30 *

Dell Demps Delano Demps (born February 12, 1970) is an American professional basketball executive and former player who is a front office assistant for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He previously served as an assis ...

#23 * Kevin Graham #32 * Stewart Granger #1 * Derek Grimm #42 * Andy Grosvenor #24 * Carl Harris #12 * Joaquin Hawkins #4 * Johnny Jackson *

Askia Jones Askia Rahman Jones (born December 3, 1971) is an American-Venezuelan retired professional basketball player, a shooting guard. Basketball career A Kansas State University graduate born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Jones left college as the th ...

#24 * Jamal Kendrick #19 *

Jerome Lane Jerome Lane Sr. (born December 4, 1966) is an American former professional basketball player who played six seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Lane played college basketball for the University of Pittsburgh, where he was an Al ...

#35 * Terrence Lewis #22 * Durand Macklin #40 * Jarvis Matthews * Jason Matthews #5 *

Tharon Mayes Tharon Rex Mayes (born September 9, 1968) is an American former professional basketball player. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, USA, he was listed at 6'3" tall and weighed 175 lbs. Career Mayes played collegiate ball with the Florida Stat ...

#25 * Kenny McClary #33 *

Rodney Monroe Rodney Eugene Monroe (born April 16, 1968) is an American former professional basketball player who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and other leagues. He was selected by the Atlanta Hawks in the second round (30th pick overall ...

#23 * Michael Morrison #7 & #2 * John Morton #23 * Lester Neal #24 * Marek Ondera #21 *

#22 & #2 * Dwayne Randall #30 * Kenny Redfield #3 * Fred Reynolds #32 * Melvin Robinson #50 *

Lester Rowe Lester Rowe (born January 11, 1963) is an American basketball coach and former professional basketball player who last served on the staff of Xavier Musketeers women's basketball. He has played professionally in several leagues. Since retirin ...

#24 * Derrick Rowlands #44 * Dexter Shouse #14 & #21 * Calvin Talford #25 *

Calvin Thompson Calvin Thompson (born June 27, 1964) is an American basketball coach and a member of the University of Kansas' 1986 NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament, 1986 Final Four team. He holds Kansas' record for most consecutive free throws made a ...

#35 * Kelvin Upshaw #7 *

Jameel Watkins Jameel Sharif Watkins (born August 2, 1977) is an American professional basketball player who last played for the Wellington Saints of the New Zealand National Basketball League (NBL). He played college basketball for the Georgetown Hoyas during ...

#40 *

Sedric Webber Sedric Webber (born January 5, 1977), sometimes misspelled as Cedric Webber, is an American retired professional basketball player. He played the small forward position for a career that spanned between 1999 and 2006 in which he played in numerou ...

#23 * Brian Wethers #25 * Ajani Williams #21 * Dennis Williams #20 * Donald Williams #21 * Kevin Williams #7 * Nantambu Willingham #4 * Westly Wilson #33 * Tremaine Wingfield #7 * Perry Young #50

Coaches

Arlene Rodriguez Arlene Fajardo Rodriguez (born April 15, 1954) is a Filipino coach and former player. Career Playing career Rodriguez played for JRC Heavy Bombers since high school until college. In MICAA, he played for CFC Presto. Coaching career Rod ...

* Rino Salazar * Chito Narvasa *

Perry Ronquillo Perry Ronquillo (born 1965) is a Filipino former basketball coach. He is now a school teacher in the United States. Playing career He played for De La Salle Green Archers under head coach Derrick Pumaren, and won 2 UAAP championships togeth ...

* John Moran *

General Managers

* Ernesto Inocencio * Charlie Favis * Ramon (Mao) Vergel De Dios * Jimmy Ayson * Bobby Villarosa * Bobby Kanapi

References

{{Shell oil Defunct Philippine Basketball Association teams Basketball teams established in 1985 Basketball teams disestablished in 2005 1985 establishments in the Philippines 2005 disestablishments in the Philippines