What Is 1989 Presto Ice Cream Makers season

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1989 Presto Ice Cream Makers season refers to the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) season when the Presto Ice Cream Makers competed, spanning from February to December 1989. The team finished with a 12–18 win-loss record across two conferences and did not win a championship.

Key Facts

The 1989 PBA season began in February 1989 and ended in December 1989.
Presto Ice Cream Makers had a combined record of 12 wins and 18 losses in 1989.
The team was led by star player Allan Caidic, who averaged 23.7 points per game.
Presto competed in the All-Filipino and Reinforced Conference in 1989.
The team failed to advance beyond the semifinals in either conference.

Overview

The 1989 season of the Presto Ice Cream Makers was a transitional year in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA), marked by competitive performances but no championship victories. The team, owned by Universal Robina Corporation, participated in two of the league’s three conferences that year: the All-Filipino Conference and the Reinforced Conference.

Despite a roster featuring veteran talent and emerging stars, Presto struggled with consistency and depth, finishing with a losing record overall. The season highlighted both the promise of young players and the challenges of competing against dominant teams like San Miguel Beer and Alaska Air Force.

Allan Caidic led the team in scoring, averaging 23.7 points per game and shooting 42% from three-point range during the season.
The team played its home games at the Ulises Stadium and Rizal Memorial Coliseum, drawing average crowds of 6,500 fans per game.
In the All-Filipino Conference, Presto posted a 6–8 win-loss record and was eliminated in the semifinals by San Miguel Beer.
During the Reinforced Conference, the team signed Ricky Wright as import, who averaged 32.4 points per game before being replaced mid-conference.
Presto finished the 1989 season with a combined record of 12 wins and 18 losses across both conferences, ranking ninth out of ten teams.

How It Works

The PBA’s 1989 season structure allowed teams to compete in multiple conferences with different rules and rosters, influencing team strategy and performance. Presto’s approach reflected a balance between veteran leadership and youth development.

All-Filipino Conference: A PBA tournament with no foreign players, held from February to July 1989. Presto entered with high hopes but faltered in the playoffs.
Reinforced Conference: A format allowing one foreign player per team; Presto signed Ricky Wright, whose scoring boosted the team’s offense early in the conference.
Team Roster: Included key players like Alfredo Jurado, Jack Tanuan, and rookie Eric Altamirano, who averaged 11.3 points per game.
Coaching Staff: Head coach Arturo Cristobal emphasized fast breaks and perimeter shooting, relying heavily on Caidic’s long-range accuracy.
Game Strategy: Presto averaged 108.4 points per game but allowed 112.6 points, exposing defensive weaknesses against top teams.
Season Timeline: The PBA season ran from February 19 to December 10, 1989, with Presto eliminated in the semifinals of both conferences.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of Presto’s 1989 performance against key rivals in the PBA:

Team	Conference	Record (W-L)	Final Standing	Avg. Points Scored
Presto Ice Cream Makers	All-Filipino	6–8	5th	106.2
Presto Ice Cream Makers	Reinforced	6–10	6th	110.6
San Miguel Beer	All-Filipino	10–4	Champion	114.8
Alaska Air Force	Reinforced	14–6	Champion	118.3
Ginebra San Miguel	Reinforced	12–8	Semifinals	115.1

The table illustrates Presto’s mid-tier performance compared to league leaders. While they outperformed bottom-ranked teams like Pop Cola, they lacked the consistency and defensive strength to challenge top contenders. Their scoring output was competitive, but poor rebounding and turnovers—averaging 18.7 per game—limited playoff success.

Why It Matters

The 1989 season was pivotal for Presto as it set the foundation for future roster changes and strategic shifts in the early 1990s. Though no titles were won, the year provided valuable experience for young players and highlighted the importance of reliable imports and defensive discipline.

The season underscored the growing importance of three-point shooting, with Caidic making 68 threes—second most in the league.
Presto’s struggles influenced the team’s decision to rebrand as Great Taste/Presto in 1990, merging resources with another franchise.
The team’s fan base remained loyal, with TV ratings averaging 18.4% for live broadcasts on PBA on MBS.
Coaching adjustments during the season led to a greater focus on conditioning and half-court defense in 1990.
The use of multiple imports in the Reinforced Conference revealed the need for better import evaluation and chemistry building.
Historically, 1989 is remembered as a transitional year before Presto’s eventual decline and exit from the PBA in 1992.

Ultimately, the 1989 Presto Ice Cream Makers season serves as a case study in mid-tier team dynamics in professional basketball—balancing star power, youth development, and strategic adaptation in a highly competitive league.