1999 Mobiline Phone Pals season

The 1999 Mobiline Phone Pals season was the 10th season of the franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

Off-season transactions

Summary

Rookie Fil-Tongan 6-10 Paul Asi Taulava debut with a near triple-double of 32 points, 20 rebounds and 8 assists as Mobiline rout comebacking Tanduay Rhum Gold Masters, 90-64 in the opening of the league's 25th season on February 7. The Phone Pals had their best start in franchise history, winning their first seven games ^[1] before suffering its first loss to the San Miguel Beermen. Mobiline finished on top of the standings with an 11-5 won-loss slate, seeded number 1 with a twice-to-beat advantage against Barangay Ginebra Kings in the quarterfinal round, the Phone Pals were upset and lost two straight in which the last one was a heartbreaking 81-82 defeat on Ginebra's Bal David' winning shot at the buzzer.

Last season's Governor's Cup best import Silas Mills return to the Phone Pals in the Commissioner's Cup. Mobiline lost their first two games before picking up their win against Shell, 78-74 in Sta.Cruz, Laguna on July 7, ^[2] the Phone Pals carry a 3-win, 5-loss card and were seeded 8th and last in the quarterfinal round, lost to top-seeded Alaska Milk.

Reinforced by former San Miguel import Larry Robinson in the Governor's Cup, the Phone Pals finish with a similar three wins in eight elimination round assignments, forced a sudden-death playoff with 2nd seeded Tanduay Rhum Masters before losing, 75-84 on November 17.

Occurrences

Center Andy Seigle was traded to Purefoods in exchange for Jerry Codiñera. ^[3]

In Mobiline's first game on July 11 following the Andy Seigle-Jerry Codinera trade, rookie Asi Taulava played listless in scoring only 6 points and was fined for his below-par showing in a 74-103 loss to Sta.Lucia. ^[4]

Roster

Pos. No. Player School G 3 Tonyboy Espinosa De La Salle G 8 Alfonso Solis University of Visayas F 9 Jose Francisco Far Eastern University G 11 Anastacio Mendoza Far Eastern University G 12 Glenn Capacio Far Eastern University F 14 Eric Reyes Ateneo de Manila G 17 Patrick Fran University of Santo Tomas F 21 Bryan Gahol University of the Philippines F 22 Jeffrey Cariaso Sonoma State College F 29 Josel Angeles Lyceum C 44 Jerry Codiñera (A) University of the East C 55 Asi Taulava BYU-Hawaii F 81 Gabby Cui Ateneo de Manila F 1 Silas Mills (C) Utah State University G 20 Larry Robinson (G) Centenary College of Louisiana C 52 Andy Seigle (T) University of New Orleans Position Name/s Head coach:  Eric Altamirano Assistants: Frankie Lim / Ryan Gregorio (T) - Traded, (C) - Commissioners Cup Import, (G) - Governors Cup Import, (A) - Acquired via trade, '

^{Team Manager: Nick de la Paz}

References