The Rhum Makers were reinforced by the pair of Rob Williams, a first-round pick by the Denver Nuggets in the 1982 NBA draft, and Andre McKoy.
The ballclub of the late Don Manolo Elizalde won their first-ever PBA title after 11 long years with a 4-2 series victory over Great Taste Coffee Makers.
Tanduay has carried on the momentum of their Reinforced Conference triumph by winning their first five assignments in the All-Filipino before losing their last game in the eliminations to Manila Beer.
On August 21, the Rhum Makers advanced into the finals for the second straight conference and arranged a title showdown with Ginebra San Miguel as they frustrated Great Taste anew, 115-107, dethroning the defending, two-time All-Filipino champions.
The Rhum Makers lost to Manila Beer on Beermen import Michael Young's three-point shot with one second left and two days after, Tanduay fell behind by a large margin of 44 points at halftime against arch rival Ginebra as their grandslam hopes ended.