1978 Royal Tru-Orange season

The 1978 Royal Tru-Orange season was the 4th season of the franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

Off-season transactions

  • Acquired Marte Samson and Valerio DELOS Santos from Tanduay
  • Signed Rudy Lalota of Manila Bank in the MICAA, Leo Paguntalan and Tony Torrente
  • Signed Marlowe Jacutin, Paul Velasco, Jess Migalbin and Ricardo Dela Pena, all San Miguel players from the MICAA

Summary

First Conference: With its rookies still adopting to the rough games of the pro, RTO settled for fifth place with Tanduay at 3-4 after the first round of eliminations, landed sixth place in the All-Filipino tournament at 5-9.

Second Conference: Reinforced by hard-working imports Frank Gugliotta and Larry Williams, RTO was tied with U-Tex and Tanduay on top at 5-2 in the first round of eliminations, the Orangemen were almost assured of a semifinals berth until Toyota won its remaining games to virtually eliminate Royal, which finished with a 7-7 card.

Roster

ROSTER

#

POS

HT

Maximo Baguio

2

Guard

Ricardo Dela Pena

6

Forward

Valerio Delos Santos

Forward

Marlowe Jacutin

12

Forward

Rudy Lalota

15

Center-Forward

Yoyong Martirez

14

Guard

Jesus Migalbin

5

Center-Forward

Leonardo Paguntalan

18

Guard

Manuel Pineda

Guard

Norberto Rivera

Forward

Marte Samson

Center-Forward

Antonio Torrente

7

Guard

Paulino Velasco

4

Guard

Wilfredo Velasco

Guard

Frank Gugliotta Import

13

Center

Larry Williams Import

17

Forward-Center