reacquiring former Purefoods players Pumaren and Tanuan through trades conducted with Pepsi and Sta. Lucia respectively. The TJ Hotdogs met Alaska in the finals of the All-Filipino Conference in 1996 PBA season but was defeated in five games by the eventual grand slam winning Milkmen. In the Governors' Cup, Purefoods struggled as they fielded in several imports in hopes of reversing their misfortunes. After the season, Reyes left the Purefoods team to become the head coach of Sta. Lucia Realty. Purefoods Corned Beef Cowboys & Carne Norte Beefies (1997–1998) In 1997 PBA season, rookie coach Eric Altamirano took over as coach of the Purefoods Corned Beef Cowboys. In his very first conference, Purefoods won the All-Filipino Cup defeating the Gordon's Gin Boars in six games for their first title in three years. After a sorry performance in the Commissioner's Cup, the newly christened Purefoods Carne Norte Beefies lost in the finals of the Governors' Cup to Alaska, 4–1. Their import was the talented Mike Jones who lost in a battle for Best Import honors. Patrimonio won his fourth and final Most Valuable Player Award, tying former teammate and idol Ramon Fernandez for the most number of MVP awards won. After getting booted out of the semifinals of the 1998 All-Filipino Cup, Altamirano left Purefoods to join Mobiline. Chito Narvasa became his replacement but failed to lead Purefoods to a finals appearance. Purefoods Tender Juicy Hotdogs (1998–2005) Purefoods struggled in the 1999 PBA season All-Filipino Cup despite acquiring Filipino-American Al Segova and a new head coach in Derrick Pumaren. During the Commissioner's Cup, Codiñera was traded to Mobiline for Andy Seigle. The trade ended the long-time partnership of Patrimonio and Codiñera, who was known as the "Defense Minister." Segova was later banished after he was proven to be a fake Filipino-American. Purefoods failed to get past the quarterfinals of the first two conferences. They were ousted by Alaska Milk in a 3-game sweep despite finishing first at the end of the elimination round with a 7–1 card and lost their last 4 games after winning 6 in a row (8–1 record after the quarterfinals) in the season ending Governors' Cup. Derrick "The Flight" Brown led all imports in scoring and rebounding but was edged out by San Miguel import Lamont Strothers in the balloting for best import honors. In the 2000 All-Filipino Cup, a forfeiture of games won by Tanduay Gold