PBA: To honor 1989 grand slam team, Petron to change name back to San Miguel Beermen

The Petron Blaze Boosters will switch back to being called the San Miguel Beermen, in honor of the 25th anniversary of the franchise’s grand slam while under that monicker, the team announced Monday in a press release.

The team will make the switch come the 2014 Commissioner’s Cup.

San Miguel Corporation president Ramon S. Ang confirmed the move in the statement, saying, “We built our success as a conglomerate on San Miguel’s name. We are happy to announce its return to the PBA and we look forward to its future success.”

The San Miguel franchise has won a total of 19 championships to date, with their grand slam coming in 1989.

“On the 25th anniversary of that historic feat, we will gun for more championships with a new generation of talented and hardworking players and coaching staff,” Ang said. “As in the past, our aim is to stay true to the San Miguel brand of excellence and to play hard and well above our fans’ expectations.”

The team last wore the San Miguel Beermen name in the 2011 Commissioner’s Cup, before becoming the Petron Blaze Boosters. The name was then used by an Asean Basketball League squad starting in 2012. That club won a title in its second year, the 2013 season.

However, said team is not scheduled to return for the upcoming ABL season, leaving it free to be taken back by the PBA team.

As of writing, the Petron Blaze Boosters are tied for second place in the standings with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, both squads boasting of 9-3 records. Sister team Barangay Ginebra San Miguel is in first place with a 10-2 card. - AMD, GMA News