U/Tex enlisted the services of Julius Wayne as their import in the First Conference and the team had their last best finish, upsetting the Lew Massey-powered Gilbey's Gin in the best-of-three quarterfinal series but lost to San Miguel Beermen in four games in the best-of-five semifinal series. Before the start of the Third Conference, Lim Eng Beng was traded and reunited with coach Tommy Manotoc at San Miguel, the Wranglers got Alex Tan from the Beermen in return. U/tex placed sixth in their final PBA conference.