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The Great Taste Coffee Makers were a basketball team that played in the
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 ...
(PBA) from 1975 to 1992. It was one of the founding members of the PBA, the Asia's first and oldest professional league. The franchise was owned by CFC Corporation (now merged with
Universal Robina Corporation Universal Robina Corporation, abbreviated as URC and also known as Universal Robina, is a Philippine company headquartered in Quezon City. It is one of the largest food and beverage companies in the Philippines, along with San Miguel Corporat ...
) and named after its brand of
instant coffee Instant coffee is a beverage derived from brewed coffee beans that enables people to quickly prepare hot coffee by adding hot water or milk to coffee solids in powdered or crystallized form and stirring. The product was first invented in Inver ...
, Great Taste Coffee. The franchise also played under other CFC brands such as N-Rich, Presto and Tivoli. The franchise won six PBA championships, mostly under coach Baby Dalupan. In 1993, CFC sold its PBA franchise to Sta. Lucia Realty & Development, Inc., which absorbed several Presto players.


History


Early years (1975–1978)

While Great Taste was known to be a blockbuster and powerhouse team to those who got to watch the game in the early 1980s, this team was also one of the ragtag and also-ran teams of the 1970s. Not exactly blessed with the biggest names among the present set of players then, they did become competitive owing more on the sheer hearts of their players rather than talents. Having started in the MICAA under coach Narciso Bernardo in 1973, notable players who donned the Presto/Great Taste jersey in the 70s included the Aldanese brothers Noli and Jing (who replaced Fely Fajardo as coach in the second conference of 1976), Manny Paner, Florendo Ritualo (the father of Ren-Ren), Danny Pribhdas (the father of Danilo, Jr of the
UST Growling Tigers The UST Growling Tigers, Tigresses, Tiger Cubs and Tigress Cubs are the Collegiate athletics, collegiate and high school men's and women's varsity teams of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in the University Athletic Association of the Phili ...
), and Johnny Revilla. Coaches included Tony Genato (
Quinito Henson Joaquin M. Henson (born October 13, 1950), also known as Quinito Henson, is a Philippines, Filipino sports analyst and television color commentator. His Column (newspaper), newspaper column, ''Sporting Chance'', has appeared in the ''Philippine ...
's father in law), Chino Marquinez (who also acted as team manager) and Nilo Verona.


Breakthrough (1979–1982)

In the second conference of 1979, the ballclub finally cracked into the final four behind imports Jim Hearns and Darryl Smith, the following year with the acquisition of Jun Papa and Estoy Estrada, the team made it anew in the semifinals of the Open Conference. In the mid-season of 1981, they signed center-forwards Manny Victorino and Joel Banal, that same year, the team had their first player to win an award in Rafael "Cho' Sison, voted the
1981 Events January * January 1 ** Greece enters the European Economic Community, predecessor of the European Union. ** Palau becomes a self-governing territory. * January 6 – A funeral service is held in West Germany for Nazi Grand Admiral ...
Rookie of the Year. The final conference of both 1981 and 1982 season had the ballclub figured in a playoff for a finals berth but fell short each time.


The Ricardo Brown era (1983–1987)

The real big turnaround started when they were able to secure the services of then Filipino-American rookie Ricardo Brown. It is said that Brown was practically stolen by Great Taste team manager Ignacio Gotao from Crispa owner Danny Floro, who has already formalized a commitment from the "Quick Brown Fox" to play for the Redmanizers. But as fate would have it, Brown was secured for the Coffeemakers, along with Bogs Adornado from the disbanded U-Tex Wranglers, and with Manny Victorino (then considered one of 3 elite centers in the league, alongside
Ramon Fernandez Ramon Sadaya Fernandez (; born October 3, 1953) is a Filipino former professional basketball player and current commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission. Fernandez won four PBA Most Valuable Player awards and a record of 19 PBA ti ...
and
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 ...
), Joel Banal, Alejo Alolor, Joy Carpio, and import
Norman Black Norman Augustus Black (born November 12, 1957) is the current Consultant to the San Beda University Red Lions Basketball team playing in the NCAA Philippines. He is a former professional basketball player who played in the CBA, NBA, and PBA. ...
. Great Taste finally enter into the championship picture, losing to the Billy Ray Bates-led Crispa in the second conference finals. The real sweetener happen in the third conference with the entry of Coach Baby Dalupan for the team – first as team consultant behind his godson Jimmy Mariano, only to secure the top coaching job when Mariano was "fired" for his ill-advised statement "we didn't intend to win.” This was said after a shocking loss to lowly Galerie Dominique since Great Taste was already secured of a slot in the next round. Now a powerful and potent squad, Great Taste became the toast of the PBA in the following year, acquiring players such as Arnie Tuadles, Frankie Lim and Chito Loyzaga and in 1985, signing Abe King and Willie Pearson. The Coffeemakers dominated the mid-1980s, winning four straight championships between 1984 and 1985, with a strong local lineup and a more potent imports in the likes of Joe Binion and Jeff Collins.


The Allan Caidic era (1987–1992)

After a crownless season in 1986, the team decided to trade two of its key players; Manny Victorino and Jimmy Manansala to Shell for
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 ...
, and with
Atoy Co Fortunato "Atoy" Gan Co Jr. (born October 15, 1951) is a Filipino former basketball player and coach who played 13 seasons in the Philippine Basketball Association, mostly with Crispa Redmanizers. Nicknamed "The Fortune Cookie" (a pun on his na ...
joining the team following the disbandment of the Manila Beer franchise, the three former Crispa players had a reunion of sorts with Great Taste with their coach Baby Dalupan. Add to this the blue chip rookie in the draft in the name of
Allan Caidic Allan Vito Flores Caidic (born June 15, 1963) is a Filipino former professional basketball player, coach and executive who is currently serving as consultant for San Sebastian Stags. He is considered by many to be the greatest shooter the cou ...
and they became the team to beat. Great Taste regains the All-Filipino crown that year and won their fifth championship. The following season, their franchise player Ricardo Brown left the team and signed with San Miguel Beer. Presto won its final championship in
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 ...
featuring the superstar veteran Allan Caidic (named Most Valuable Player of the Year) and rookies
Gerald 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), ...
(named Rookie of the Year) and Apet Jao (the top draft pick). More blue chip players came their way including Bong Hawkins in 1991 and
Vergel Meneses Vergel Corpuz Meneses (born January 14, 1969) is a Filipino retired professional basketball player and a politician, serving as mayor of the municipality of Bulakan, Bulacan. He previously played in the Philippine Basketball Association and ser ...
in 1992 until the team eventually disbanded at the end of the 1992 season with Sta. Lucia buying the franchise rights including its rights for the first pick of the 1993 draft.


Season-by-season records


Awards


Individual awards


All-Star Weekend


Notable players


PBA Greatest players

''In alphabetical order. Members of
PBA Hall of Fame The Philippine Basketball Association Hall of Fame is an institution that honors selected former players and personalities of the Philippine Basketball Association. It was launched on May 29, 2005, during the Reunion Game pitting two teams consis ...
are in boldface.'' * William "Bogs" Adornado #33 * Ricardo Brown #23 – "The Quick Brown Fox" named 1985 PBA Most Valuable Player *
Allan Caidic Allan Vito Flores Caidic (born June 15, 1963) is a Filipino former professional basketball player, coach and executive who is currently serving as consultant for San Sebastian Stags. He is considered by many to be the greatest shooter the cou ...
#8 – "The Triggerman" named 1987 PBA Rookie of the Year & 1990 PBA Most Valuable Player *
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 ...
#18 – "The Scholar" *
Atoy Co Fortunato "Atoy" Gan Co Jr. (born October 15, 1951) is a Filipino former basketball player and coach who played 13 seasons in the Philippine Basketball Association, mostly with Crispa Redmanizers. Nicknamed "The Fortune Cookie" (a pun on his na ...
#60 and #6 – "The Fortune Cookie" played his final years in the league with the team. *
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 ...
#15 – "The Sultan of Swipe" *
Vergel Meneses Vergel Corpuz Meneses (born January 14, 1969) is a Filipino retired professional basketball player and a politician, serving as mayor of the municipality of Bulakan, Bulacan. He previously played in the Philippine Basketball Association and ser ...
#4 – "The Aerial Voyager" was the #1 draft pick of the 1992 draft. *
Manny Paner Manuel Paner (born May 17, 1949), better known as Manny Paner, is a Filipino retired professional basketball player. Player profile Paner was born in Cebu City, Philippines. During his prime, he was known for his strong rebounding, defense an ...
#5 & #13 – Became the highest paid Filipino player in 1977, signed a 4-year contract called for P 8,000 a month.


Other notable players

*Jose "Jing" Aldanese #4 *Manuel "Noli" Aldanese #11 *Teodocio "Teddy" Alfarero #20+ *Alejo "Pongkee" Alolor #2 *Leonardo "Leo" Aranzaso #9 *Cesar "Kia" Arpilleda #17 *Woodrow Balani #19 *
Joel Banal Joel Banal (born February 6, 1958) is a retired Filipino professional basketball player, and former head coach in the Philippine Basketball Association. He is the former commissioner of the now-defunct Pilipinas Commercial Basketball League (P ...
#26, #6, #7 & #28 *Danilo "Danny" Basilan #14 *Santiago "Sonny" Cabatu #5 * Bernardo "Joy" Carpio #29 – "The Scavenger" *Israel "Ric" Catacutan #15 *Jacinto" Bong" Chua #8 & #9+ *Aurelio "Boy" Clarino #56 * Fortunato "Atoy" Co Jr. #6 #60 – "The Fortune Cookie" *Arturo "Bai" Cristobal #7 *Carlito "Lito" Cruz #12 *Oliveros "Nonoy" Dalman #3 *Ramon "Onchie" Dela Cruz #9 *Danilo "Danny" De Guzman #10 *Valeriano "Botchok" Delos Santos #10+ *Hernani "Nani Demegillo #15 *Jaime "Jimmy" Dungca #6 *Gerald "Gerry" Esplana #14 – 1990 PBA Rookie of the Year – "Mr. Cool" * Ernesto "Estoy" Estrada+ #6 & #44 *Reynaldo "Rey" Franco #20 *Wilfredo "Willy" Generalao #42 – "The General" *Filomeno "Fil" Gulfin #8 *Noel Guzman #8 * Rene "Bong" Hawkins Jr. #16 – "The Hawk" *Arthur "Art" Herrera #8 * Federico "Padim" Israel #17 *Peter "Apet" Jao #5 – #1 draft pick of 1990 PBA Draft – “The Howitser" * Alfredo "Pido" Jarencio #25 – "The Fireman" *Woodrow "Totoy" Jaymalin #5 *Alfonso "Al" Jovero #12 * Abraham "Abe" King #6 #66 – "The Chairman of the Board" *Francisco "Frankie" Lim #22 * Joaquin "Chito" Loyzaga #41 – "The Dynamite" *Jaime "Jimmy" Manansala #11 * Joselito "Joey" Marquez #66 *Manuel "Totoy" Marquez #71 *Eduardo "Eddieboy" Mendoza #10 *Lawrence "Tata" Merced #18 *Jose Cadel Mosqueda #12 *Ruben "Benjie" Pablo #6 * Adriano "Jun" Papa, Jr. #55+ *Leonardo "Leo" Paguntalan #16 *Willie Pearson #33 *Danilo "Danny" Pribhdas, Jr+(father of Danilo, Jr. of the
UST Growling Tigers The UST Growling Tigers, Tigresses, Tiger Cubs and Tigress Cubs are the Collegiate athletics, collegiate and high school men's and women's varsity teams of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) in the University Athletic Association of the Phili ...
) #13 *Zaldy Realubit #28 *Johnny Revilla #16+ *Florendo "Dante" Ritualo #20 / #11+ *Ranulfo "Noni" Robles #16 *Ricafort "Ric" Roces #15 *Jose "Joe" Roslin #19 & #14 *Rafael "Cho" Sison #12 *Loreto" Ato"Tolentino #7 *Tomasito "Sito" Tolentino #5 *Oscar "Oca" Tuazon #19 * Arnulfo "Arnie Tuadles" #11 & #22+ *Redentor "Red" Vicente, Sr. #45 * Manny Victorino #1


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 ...
#32 (1982) *
George Almones George Almones (September 21, 1962 – December 20, 2012) was an American professional basketball player. Standing at 6"4', Almones attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana for three seasons from 1982–83 through 1984–85 before givin ...
#32 (1988) * Terrance Bailey #21 (1989 & 1991) * Joe Binion #30 (1985) *
Norman Black Norman Augustus Black (born November 12, 1957) is the current Consultant to the San Beda University Red Lions Basketball team playing in the NCAA Philippines. He is a former professional basketball player who played in the CBA, NBA, and PBA. ...
#24 (1983) * Cory Blackwell #30 (1985) *
Michael Britt Michael Antonio Britt (October 7, 1960 – December 25, 2017) was an American professional basketball player who was selected by the Washington Bullets in the second round (32nd overall) of the 1983 NBA draft. A 6'6" forward from the University ...
#21 (1985) * Johnny Brown #3 (1986) * Lewis "Lew" Brown #24 (1980) * Derwin "Tank" Collins #3 (1992) *James Collins #13 (1978) *Jeff Collins #24 (1984) *
Winston Crite Winston Arnel Crite (born June 20, 1965) is a retired American professional basketball player who currently trains young players. After a very successful career at Texas A&M University, Crite was selected with 53rd overall (7th in third round) p ...
#31 (1990) *Perry Davis #30 (1982) *
Kenny Fields Kenneth Henry Fields (born February 9, 1962) is an American former professional basketball player who was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round (21st pick overall) of the 1984 NBA draft. A 6'5" guard-forward from UCLA, Fields played ...
#54 (1988) * Alvin Franklin #20 (1986) *
Jerome Harmon Jerome Harmon (born September 25, 1968), better known as J-Roc, is an American songwriter and music producer from Fort Worth, Texas. He frequently collaborates with Timbaland. Jerome Harmon has produced for Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Jay-Z, ...
#32 (1992) *Jim Hearns #33 (1979 & 1980) * Michael Holton #14 (1986) * Lewis Jackson #24 (1986) *Harold Johnson #33 (1981) *Napoleon Johnson #00 (1985) * Greg Jones #3 (1986) *Darryl "Choo" Kennedy #30 (1987) * Dana Lewis #3 (1977) * Lew Massey #23 (1981) *
Dwayne McClain Dwayne Eddie McClain (born February 7, 1963) is an American former professional basketball player who was selected by the Indiana Pacers in the second round (27th pick overall) of the 1985 NBA draft. He played in the NBA for one season and was d ...
#44 (1991) *Dwight Moody #(1987 PBA/IBA series) * Cisco Oliver #6 (1978) *
Myles Patrick Myles Patrick (born November 19, 1954, in Macon, Georgia) is an American former professional basketball player. A 6'8" forward from Auburn University, Patrick played one season (1980–81) in the NBA for the Los Angeles Lakers. He averaged 1.7 ...
#32 (1981) * Wally Rank #21 (1985) *
Eldridge Recasner Eldridge David Recasner (born December 14, 1967) is an American former professional basketball player. In college, he was a three-time All-Pac-10 Conference guard for the Washington Huskies. After college, he played in a variety of professiona ...
#7 (1992) *Angelo Robinson #34 (1984) * Walker Russell #3 (1989) *Danny Salisbery #31 (1982) *Niño Samuel #44 (1977) *Dawan Scott #7 (1983) * Dexter Shouse (1987 PBA/IBA series) *Darryl Smith #68 (1979) *
Everette Stephens Everette Louis Stephens (born October 21, 1966) is a retired American professional basketball player who was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2nd round (31st overall) of the 1988 NBA draft. A 6'2" guard who played college basketball for ...
#21 (1990) *
Earl Tatum William Earl Tatum (born July 26, 1953) is an American former professional basketball player from Mount Vernon, New York. He was a guard who played high school basketball at Mount Vernon, where he was selected large-school player of the year b ...
#42 (1981) * Jeff Taylor #44 (1987) *Charles Thompson #18 (1983) *Eric Turner #12 (1986) * Tony White #4 (1988) * Mike Wilson #2 (1986) *
Ennis Whatley Ennis Whatley (born August 11, 1962) is an American former professional basketball player who was selected by the Kansas City Kings in the first round (13th pick overall) of the 1983 NBA draft. Whatley played in ten National Basketball Associat ...
*
Joey Wright Joey Glenn Wright (born September 4, 1968) is an American-Australian professional basketball coach and former player. He has been the head coach of three teams in the Australian National Basketball League: the Brisbane Bullets, which won an NB ...
#5 (1992) *
Michael Young Michael Young may refer to: Academics * Michael Young, Baron Young of Dartington (1915–2002), British life peer, sociologist and social activist * Michael Young (educationalist), British educational theorist and sociologist * Michael K. Youn ...
#42 (1987)


Coaches

*
Felicisimo Fajardo Felicisimo "Fely" Fajardo (March 17, 1914 – August 19, 2001) was a Filipino basketball player who competed in the 1948 Summer Olympics. Basketball career Fely was one of Philippine basketball's top forwards during the early 1940s. He first saw ...
* Tony Genato *Nilo Verona *
Alfonso Marquez Alphons (Latinized ''Alphonsus'', ''Adelphonsus'', or ''Adefonsus'') is a male given name recorded from the 8th century ( Alfonso I of Asturias, r. 739–757) in the Christian successor states of the Visigothic Kingdom in the Iberian Peninsula. ...
*
Baby Dalupan Virgilio "Baby" Adam Dalupan (October 19, 1923 – August 17, 2016) was a Filipino basketball coach and player. Dubbed "The Maestro", Dalupan was best known for his lengthy coaching tenure with the Crispa Redmanizers and garnered a career tot ...
*
Jimmy Mariano Jaime L. Mariano (born April 19, 1941), also known by his moniker Mr. Cool, is a Filipino people, Filipino former basketball player and coach. Mariano was born in Malabon, Rizal (province), Rizal, Philippines. Standing at 6'3 1/2" without shoes, ...
*
Tommy Manotoc Tomás "Tommy" La'O Manotoc Sr. (born August 9, 1949), is a Filipino golfer and former basketball coach. As a basketball coach of several Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) teams, Manotoc won six PBA titles, including a grand slam wit ...


Team managers

*Ignacio Gotao *Chino Marquinez


References


External links


The Quick Brown Fox's Untold Stories
GMA News Online {{navboxes, title= PBA finals
champions A champion (from the late Latin ''campio'') is the victor in a challenge, contest or competition. There can be a territorial pyramid of championships, e.g. local, regional/provincial/state, national, continental and world championships, and ...
, list= {{Great Taste Coffee Makers 1984 PBA Second All-Filipino Conference Champions {{Great Taste Coffee Makers 1984 PBA Invitational Conference Champions {{Great Taste Coffee Makers 1985 PBA Open Conference Champions {{Great Taste Coffee Makers 1985 PBA All-Filipino Conference Champions {{Great Taste Coffee Makers 1987 PBA All-Filipino Conference Champions {{Presto Tivolis 1990 PBA All-Filipino Conference Champions Basketball teams established in 1975 Basketball teams disestablished in 1992 Defunct Philippine Basketball Association teams 1975 establishments in the Philippines 1992 disestablishments in the Philippines