Mustre as well as veterans Asaytono, "Mr. Excitement" Bong Alvarez, Dignadice and Art dela Cruz into a strong team each conference. San Miguel won third place in all three conferences of the '97 campaign. The Beermen failed to enter the finals in the Commissioner's and Governors' Cups, respectively, losing in two do-or-die games against Gordon's Gin and Purefoods. Jeff Ward was the import during the second conference while Larry Robinson played for SMB in the third conference. Asaytono was a candidate to win the Most Valuable Player Award but lost to Purefoods' Alvin Patrimonio. San Miguel Beermen (the Danny Ildefonso era) (1998–2007) For the 1998 season, San Miguel drafted Noy Castillo as the second overall pick in the draft. But, Castillo was quickly shipped to Shell in exchange for National University standout Danny Ildefonso. The Beermen made a strong showing in the All-Filipino Conference but lost to Alaska in the Finals in seven games. In the Commissioner's Cup, San Miguel brought back Strothers to replace Jeff Ward during the tournament. SMB made its return to the finals but was defeated by the Milkmen in the rematch of the All-Filipino Cup, this time in six games. After the conference, Racela was loaned to the PBA Centennial team. As incentive, all PBA teams were allowed to hire two imports in the Governors' Cup. Strothers and Robinson teamed up for San Miguel, but with their height disadvantage against other teams, the Beermen failed to either win the special Centennial Cup or the season-ending Governors' Cup. Ron Jacobs resigned after two seasons with the Beermen. His assistant coach and former NCC protégé Jong Uichico took over as head coach. The Jong Uichico era New coach Jong Uichico began his first season with San Miguel in 1999. As part of the PBA's new rule to allow each team one direct-hire Filipino-foreigner, San Miguel acquired the services of Danny Seigle, younger brother of then Mobiline center Andy Seigle, to bolster the team along with former Pop Cola guard Boybits Victoria. However, San Miguel struggled in the All-Filipino Cup and was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Formula Shell. One of their finest moments was during a match against Mobiline and star center Asi Taulava. San Miguel's 67–66 squeaker on Asaytono's two clutch free-throws handed the Phone Pals its first defeat after winning their first seven games. In the Commissioner's Cup, San Miguel tapped former Mobiline import Terquin