The new name of the Gilbey's Gin was announced by team manager Adolf Ferrer during the formal turnover ceremonies witnessed by Ginebra playing coach Sonny Jaworski and PBA president Carlos "Honeyboy" Palanca.
April 11: Ginebra scored their first win of the season after seven losses and the Big J finally had his first victory as playing coach in their 118–104 triumph over Manila Beer.
August 8: Ginebra forces a knockout game with Shell for the second finals berth and the right to meet defending champion Great Taste for the All-Filipino championship following a 101–93 victory over the Bugbusters.
September 10: Ginebra import Michael Hackett, a third round pick by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1982 draft, debut with 48 points and 27 rebounds in the Gins' 107–106 squeaker over Northern Consolidated (NCC).
[2] Ginebra took a commanding 85–64 edge at the end of the first half and Hackett contributed 48 points of the team's total output after 24 minutes of play.