[1] October 17: Manila Beer turned back Northern Consolidated, 126-121, to make it as the first outright semifinalist in the Third Conference and with the best record after the double round eliminations with nine wins and three losses.
November 17: In a match to decide the first finalist, Manila Beer trailed by nine points against Northern in the fourth period when they banked on an 18-2 salvo and posted a 98-91 lead with 30 seconds left in the ballgame.
The Brewmasters enters the finals with a 99-93 win, sending NCC to a playoff match with Great Taste to determine the other finalist.
Heavily fancied at the start of the season, but struck out twice in their cracks for a round of four berth in the Open and All-Filipino Conferences and the crisis which ultimately resulted in the decision to trade Ramon Fernandez, Manila Beer came back in the Third Conference and pulled a hat trick as they will be playing in their second finals appearance.
[2] Manila Beer were swept in four games by the guest national team Northern Consolidated, coach by Ron Jacobs and with two naturalized players; Jeff Moore and Dennis Still.