Newcomer Filipinas Manufacturers Bank, controlled by auto magnate Ricardo Silverio,[1] bought the rights of the defunct Seven-Up ballclub to play in the professional league and had employed the core of the Uncolas team led by Larry Mumar, Jimmy Mariano, Jacinto Chua and Roberto Salonga and piloted by coach Lauro Mumar.
Though the new ballclub to be known as "Filmanbank" sold Danny Florencio to Toyota, it bought the services of American Billy Robinson and sweet-shooting Jun Papa.
In their very first conference, the Bankers managed to win only two games in the first round of eliminations due to its incomplete lineup and landed second to last with a 2-5 win-loss slate.
As the semifinals commenced, Filmanbank further rocked PBA tradition by scoring upsets and surprisingly became the first qualifier in the finals while on the same night, Toyota ousted defending champion Crispa to arranged a confrontation with its sister club.
Billy Robinson was the biggest factor in Filmanbank's impressive second-place finish while Larry Mumar and Jun Papa had their share of the glory.