8 cagers in ‘basketbrawl’ are punished (Dec. 17, 1975)

Oscar Rocha, Big Boy Reynoso and Philip Cezar were given lengthy suspensions by PBA Commissioner Leo Prieto for their participation in a pair of brawls that happened in Game 5 of the 1975 All-Philippine Championship.

8 PBA cagers in ‘basketbrawl’ are punished

By Ding Marcelo
Bulletin Today
Published Thursday December 18, 1975

Two players from Toyota and one from Crispa were fined P1,000 each and suspended from four and one-half to nine months yesterday while five others drew various fines in wide-ranging punitive action by the Philippine Basketball Association following the tumultuous Crispa-Toyota title match last Sunday.

The punishments were the severest ever meted out by the association since its foundation almost a year ago. PBA Commissioner Leo Prieto expressed the hope that the players, as well as their managers and coaches, would come to their senses and avert a repetition of that riotous evening “for the good of the sport.”

Ramos warns PBA; Crispa, Toyota fined P10,000 each (Dec. 16, 1975)

Philippine Constabulary Chief Fidel Ramos warned the PBA that criminal charges will be filed against players who will take part in violence similar to the Crispa-Toyota brawls that marred the final game of the 1975 PBA All-Philippine Championship.

PBA gets Ramos warning
Crispa, Toyota fined P10,000 each

By Ding Marcelo
Bulletin Today
Published Wednesday December 17, 1975

Maj. Gen. Fidel Ramos, chief of Constabulary and director-general of the national integrated police, warned yesterday that criminal proceedings will be filed against those found responsible for any repetition of the violence that occurred in the recent Crispa-Toyota basketball matches.

The general issued the warning in a letter to Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner Leo Prieto in the wake of the public outcry raised against the fighting that marred the last championship series.

Prieto slapped yesterday a fine of P10,000 each on the Crispa and Toyota teams for failure of their managers and coaches to control their players during the championship game.

Column: Player fights threat to the future of PBA

Philippines Daily Express sports editor Tony Siddayao opined that the Crispa-Toyota fight that ended the PBA’s first season in 1975 posed a threat to the future of professional basketball.

Player fights threat to the future of PBA

TAKE FIVE
By Antonio M. Siddayao
Philippines Daily Express
Tuesday December 16, 1975

DESPITE rapport from the public and a bonanza at the gates, the fathers of the Philippine Basketball Association are red-faced from embarrassment. Desperate are they about this crisis spawned by the latest player fights. They are aware that these are not only a blackeye on the PBA, but, more importantly, a threat to its future.

No less than the PBA’s commissioner himself grieved over this sudden ebb in the quality of play as the curtains rang down on the PBA’s first season with the victorious Crispa Redmanizers celebrating their All-Philippine title triumph over the Toyota Comets, who had humiliated them all season like no other club had in their entire history.

“It’s a pity,” said Leo Prieto. “I thought we were doing all right until these fights happened. I always thought our clubs were ready for the kind of high-level play of the pros.”

Crispa-Toyota melees decried (Dec. 15, 1975)

The public wasn’t too happy with the events that transpired in Game 5 of the 1975 PBA All-Philippine Championship between Crispa and Toyota even as commissioner Leo Prieto was deliberating on the sanctions that will be given on erring players.

Crispa-Toyota melees decried

By Ding Marcelo
Bulletin Today
Published Tuesday December 16, 1975

A collective outcry was raised by an outraged public yesterday over the unwarranted violence that marred the Crispa-Toyota title match the other day for the All-Philippine crown of the Philippine Basketball Association.

Calls swamped the Bulletin office moments after Crispa emerged champion by a 96-91 victory over Toyota. The callers asked both teams be severaly punished. Some askd for a suspension ranging from one season to two years while stil other sought, vociferously, for the outrght abolition of the PBA and a return to amateur basketball.

Even as basketball fans reacted to the uncalled-for-violence that erupted twice on the hardcourt, PBA Commissioner Leo Prieto, who is charged with the task of imposing disciplinary action on erring teams and players, was still in the process of consolidating reports and accounts of witnesses.

Game 21: Crispa 96, Toyota 91 (Dec. 14, 1975)

Crispa's title-clinching win over Toyota in the deciding fifth game of the 1975 PBA All-Philippine Championship was overshadowed by a pair of bench-clearing brawls. The Redmanizers' victory denied the Comets a rare grand slam.

Crispa wins, captures All-Philippine title

By Ding Marcelo
Bulletin Today
Published Monday December 15, 1975

Crispa-Floro vanquished arch-nemesis Toyota, 96-91, last night in a bruising, bloody encounter marked by two bench-emptying free-for-all sessions to win the All-Philippine Championship – the prized title of the infant Philippine Basketball Association.

Close to 40,000 spectators watched both excited and tormented as the two teams, overcome by passion and deep-seated emotion, chased each other with flailing fists across the court, once in the second quarter and again with only 35 seconds left in the game when Crispa was ahead, 96-91.

Oscar Rocha, a sophomore in the Toyota lineup, swung a right cross to Rodolfo Soriano’s faced early in the second quarter in precipitate the first riot that saw all benches emptied, the count at 27-18, in favor of the Redmanizers.

Philip Cezar somewhat blotted what otherwise was a splendid job when he punched Ramon Fernandez in retaliation for an elbow dug in this face when he drove off the Toyota ace for Crispa’s final basket of the evening. Again, all players of both teams swarmed into the court joined in by some fiercely partisan fans and it took another 10 minutes before complete order was restored.

Game 20: Toyota 79, Crispa 77 (Dec. 12, 1975)

Toyota kept alive its bid to complete a grand slam after forcing the 1975 PBA All-Philippine Championship to a deciding game with a hard-fought victory over Crispa in Game 4.

Toyota thumps Crispa, evens up title series

By Ernesto Gonzales
Philippines Daily Express
Published Saturday December 13, 1975

CRISPA’S all-Filipino maneuvers backfired last night and Toyota scrambled back with a 79-77 victory that forged a rubber match tomorrow in their best-of-five series for the All-Philippine Championship in the Philippine Basketball Association.

The Comets, outplaying the Filipino Redmanizers, came from eight points down in the second quarter then moved ahead for good early in the last quarter against another all-Filipino combination.

Stan Cherry fired six points in a 10-2 salvo that showed Toyota out front at 73-65 and when Crispa, blowing hot and cold from the field, closed in at 71-73, Orlando Bauzon and Rodolfo Segura bailed out the Comets, 79-73, with two minutes remaining.

Game 19: Crispa 101, Toyota 93 (Dec. 10, 1975)

Crispa took control right from the onset to take Game 3 and move one win shy of capturing the 1975 PBA All-Philippine Championship. The underdog Redmanizers led by as many as 16 points, forcing Toyota to play catch up till the very end.

Crispa deflates Toyota, 101 to 93

By Antonio M. Siddayao
Philippines Daily Express
Published Thursday December 11, 1975

CRISPA’S Redmanizers, bristling again with the deadly form Toyota owner-coach Dante Silverio said he always feared they were capable of, run down the Comets, 101-93, last night and moved within one game of putting away the Philippine Basketball Association’s prize award in its inaugural season - the All-Philippine championship.

The Comets, who never led at ay time in the contest that drew a sellout crowd of 32,000 at the Araneta Coliseum, missed 17 free throws, flubbing 11 of 12 in the third quarter.

The Redmanizers seemed to ride on the momentum of last Monday’s sensational 111-107 all-Filipino triumph as they scored their second straight victory over the Comets and took a 2-1 lead with a fiery all-court game that unnerved the Comets from the first quarter on.

Column: Toyota still favored to sweep series (Dec. 10, 1975)

The great Tony Siddayao, sports editor of the Philippines Daily Express, analyzed Crispa’s successful use of an all-Filipino lineup in the 1975 PBA All-Philippine Championship series with Toyota.

Despite Monday’s loss, Toyota still favored to sweep series

TAKE FIVE
By Antonio M. Siddayao
Philippines Daily Express
Published Wednesday December 10, 1975

BABY DALUPAN gave a refresher course on the virtues of going all-Filipino last Monday night by keeping his American players on the bench in the last quarter and watching the rest of his underdog Redmanizers turn tables on the American-aided Toyota Comets.

Yes, it was a gamble, Dalupan said. No, he hadn’t forgotten manager Danny Floro’s investments on Peter Crotty and Johnny Burks, who are paid in dollars. It was a gamble that was paying off, so why bring in the Yanks, Baby averted. If things had gone bad, then Crotty or Burks would have been called in.

“Mas may fuerza kung sila (They worked harder, they were more spirited playing with other American),” explained Dalupan, who has taken more beatings in one season than ever before, ever since Dante Silverio surfaced on the coaching scene.

Game 18: Crispa 111, Toyota 107 (Dec. 8, 1975)

The all-Filipino strategy of coach Baby Dalupan worked wonders anew as Crispa beat Toyota to tie the 1975 PBA All-Philippine Championship title series at 1-1. Bogs Adornado recovered from a dismal performance in the series opener to score a game-high 27 points.

Crispa stops Toyota, 111-107

By Ding Marcelo
Bulletin Today
Published Tuesday December 9, 1975

Crispa-Floro leaned back on an all-Filipino crew when all seemed gone last night and subdued Toyota, 111-107, in another pulsating encounter that levelled the Redmanizers with the Comets at one win apiece in their best-of-five series for the Philippine Basketball Association third conference championship.

Fighting like tigers in going for loose balls while putting an impeccable defense, the Redmanizers outclassed the Comets in the final quarter to register a badly needed victory that assured the series of a fourth game.

It was a game to be remembered primarily because of Crispa coach Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan’s unwavering trust in his Filipino boys who seemed to come up with the finest and most elegant of plays when odds are stacked high against them.

Game 17: Toyota 99, Crispa 97 (Dec. 6, 1975)

Toyota erased a 10-point third quarter deficit behind Byron “Snake” Jones and Robert Jaworski to win the opening game of the 1975 PBA All-Philippine Championship finals. Crispa star Bogs Adornado was held to just six points after colliding with Jaworski in the second quarter.

Toyota quintet rallies to beat Crispa, 99-97

By Ding Marcelo
Bulletin Today
Published Sunday December 7, 1975

A rock-steady Toyota five outgunned Crispa in a pulse-pounding final quarter last night, 99-97, to take a 1-0 lead in their best-of-five series for the All-Philippine championship of the Philippine Basketball Association at the Araneta Coliseum.

Byron “Snake” Jones exemplified the Comets’ grace under pressure by unerringly sinking four straight charities in the last 55 seconds to gve Toyota a 99-95 lead which the Redmanizers heroically tried but failed to overcome.

Rodolfo Soriano twisted and groaned to make it 99-97, but the Comets merely ran out the remaining 25 seconds to register their 11th win over Crispa in 17 games.

Game 16: Crispa 118, Toyota 109 (Dec. 4, 1975)

Coach Baby Dalupan’s tactic of using an all-Filipino roster allowed Crispa to beat Toyota in the elimination round of the 1975 PBA All-Philippine Championship. The match came before the two archrivals meet in a  best-of-five title series.

Crispa downs Toyota, 118-109

Bulletin Today
Published Friday December 5, 1975

Crispa coach Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan used an all-Filipino crew in the final quarter last night and this move paid off handsomely as the Redmanizers subdued the Toyota Comets, 118-109, to top the elimination round of the All-Philippine basketball championships at the Araneta Coliseum.

Though the game had no bearing whatsoever in their forthcoming best-of-five series for the crown, the Redmanizers’ win was a moral victory for coach Dalupan who gambled with his Filipino boys and won.

Comet coach Dante Silverio responded to the gambit by sending in also an all-Filipino five, his team leading, 97-95. But it proved disastrous as the Redmanizers, considered as the best all-Filipino basketball team, merely reaffirmed that reputation by quickly racing to a 105-99 lead which Toyota never surmounted.

Costly forfeiture for Crispa

Crispa was fined a total of P82,000 for forfeiting the fourth game of the 1975 PBA Second Conference finals against Toyota. The Redmanizers opted not to play over the selection of referees during the championship series.

COSTLY FORFEITURE
Crispa fined P82,000

By Artemio Engracia Jr.
Philippines Daily Express
Published Friday November 28, 1975

CRISPA WAS fined a total of P82,000 for forfeiting the fourth game of the Philippine Basketball Association’s second conference championship series against Toyota, it was learned yesterday from sources close to PBA commissioner Leo Prieto.

The fine, which was P32,000 more than the original amount set by the commissioner and approved by the PBA board of governors, included the amount lost by television and the two other teams playing in the series.

A case of misunderstanding (1975 PBA Second Conference Finals)

Crispa team manager Danny Floro said the decision to award Toyota the 1975 PBA Second Conference title by forfeiture was caused by misunderstanding between him and the league’s board of governors, even as Toyota coach Dante Silverio expressed confidence of his team winning the series had Game 4 went on as scheduled.

‘Twas a case of misunderstanding, says Danny Floro

Philippines Daily Express
Published Sunday, November 23, 1975

CRISPA was set to request the Philippine Basketball Association to postpone for Sunday its scheduled fourth game against Toyota, but the PBA learned this too late as signals got crossed between the PBA board of governors and Crispa manager Danny Floro last Friday.

This was the explanation of Floro yesterday even as he announced that the Redmanizers will definitely play in the third conference scheduled Nov. 30-Dec. 18 under prevailing rules and regulations to scotch reports that his team was pulling out of the association.

Toyota declared champion (Nov. 21, 1975)

Toyota was declared as champion of the 1975 PBA second conference champion after Crispa forfeited the fourth game of the best-of-five title series. It was the second straight crown for the Comets after beating the Redmanizers in the finals of the first conference.

Toyota named champ as Crispa forfeits game

Bulletin Today
Published Tuesday November 22, 1975

The board of governors of the Philippine Basketball Association yesterday declared Toyota champion of the PBA second conference after Crispa forfeited its scheduled game with Toyota at the Araneta Coliseum.

A press release issued by the PBA yesterday stated that Crispa had decided, during an emergency meeting of the PBA board of governors to “voluntarily concede” its game with Toyota scheduled at 6:45 p.m. today.

The board ruled that “voluntarily conceding” of a game is not allowable as per provisions of the PBA constitution. It declared Toyota champion, with Crispa runner-up.

Game 15: Toyota 115, Crispa 102 (Nov. 20, 1975)

Sparked by the return of Ramon Fernandez, Toyota won Game 3 to close in on capturing the 1975 PBA Second Conference crown. Crispa team manager Danny Floro, however, hinted at forfeiting the next game over the selection of referees during the title series.

Toyota smothers Crispa, 115-102

By Al Mendoza
Bulletin Today
Published Thursday, November 20, 1975

Toyota coach Dante Silverio used Ramon Fernandez last night and the move paid off as teh Comets brought down Crispa, 115-102, to take a 2-1 lead in their best-of-five series for the Philippine Basketball Association second conference championship at the Araneta Coliseum.

Fernandez, his newly-operated broken nose protected by a plaster cast, responded by playing his usual triple-threat game.

Game 14: Crispa 101, Toyota 91 (Nov. 18, 1975)

Crispa leaned on a fourth quarter run to tie the 1975 PBA Second Conference finals at a game apiece. It was only Crispa’s fifth win in 14 games against Toyota in the professional ranks.

Crispa stops Toyota, 101-91

By Al Mendoza
Bulletin Today
Published Wednesday November 19, 1975

Crispa-Floro blitzed Toyota with a vicious fourth quarter assault last night to win, 101-91, and square their best-of-five series for the Philippine Basketball Association second conference championship at the Araneta Coliseum at one game apiece.

The Redmanizers routed the Comets, 33-18, in the final 12 minutes to avenge their 98-96 setback at the hands of the first conference champions last Sunday.

Thus, the two teams are all tied up going into tomorrow’s crucial third game, which will see the return of Toyota’s Robert Jaworski and Crispa’s Rodolfo Soriano to their respective teams.

Punches and suspensions (1975 PBA Second Conference finals)

A preview of Game 2 of the 1975 PBA Second Conference finals by the Daily Express described the aftermath of Toyota’s riot-marred victory in the series opener.

Crispa tries to settle score vs. Toyota today

The Philippine Daily Express
Published Tuesday November 18, 1975

Robert Jaworski of Toyota and Rodolfo Soriano are doubtful starters as the Comets and the Redmanizers resume today their explosive best-of-five series for the Philippine Basketball Association’s second conference championship at the Araneta Coliseum.

With Ramon Fernandez out of the series with a broken nose suffered in their first game last Sunday which Toyota won, 98-96, the Comets go into the 7:45 p.m. contest with the Redmanizers slight underdogs anew.

Game 13: Toyota 98, Crispa 96 (Nov. 16, 1975)

Fights involving players and fans marred Toyota’s victory in Game 1 of the 1975 PBA Second Conference finals. Supporters of both teams trade blows during the fourth quarter, causing a 20-minute delay.  

Toyota takes 1st game in a riot-marred match

By Al Mendoza
Bulletin Today
Published Monday November 17, 1975

Toyota held on to a 98-96 victory over arch-rival Crispa-Floro last night in a bruising, bloody contest that opened their best-of-five series for the Philippine Basketball Association’s second conference championship before a jampacked crowd of at the 32,000-seat Araneta Coliseum.

Last night’s match was an eye-opener for the organizers: security measures were sadly wanting.

The match was so bruising that forays scuffles did not only involve players but also spectators, whose own rumble disrupted the match for about 20 minutes before police officers restored order.

STREAK-SNAPPING PLOT

The Sports Weekly Magazine published an inside look at how Crispa snapped its six-game losing skid against Toyota during their out-of-town PBA Second Conference semifinal game in Cebu City.

STREAK-STOPPING PLOT

THE INSIDE STORY
Sports Weekly Magazine
Published November 14-21, 1975

Thousands called them favorite ‘Whipping Boys! Almost everybody, including the fanatical followers, thought the Crispa-Floro Redmanizers had been buried too deep when they lost six straight matches to Toyota. But Sunday night in Cebu City, the Florians came alive, subjecting the Comets to a humihilating defeat that untangled a skein of defeats.

Also, the spell’s broken when the final buzzer sounded the end of their 48-minute hostility with the Redmanizers leaping with joy into each other’s arms and an ardent admirer jumping into the center of the court shouting, ‘They can’t beat us all the time. We did it. The jinx is shattered!’

Game 12: Crispa 108, Toyota 102 (Nov. 9, 1975)

Crispa ended a six-game losing streak against Toyota by winning their second-and-final out-of-town game held in Cebu City. The victory put the Redmanizers one game shy of making the 1975 PBA Second Conference finals.

Crispa five finally beats Toyota; Noritake wins

By Al Mendoza
Bulletin Today
Published Monday November 10, 1975

CEBU CITY, Nov. 9 - Crispa finally broke a frustrating six-game losing streak against Toyota tonight when the Redmanizers rolled back the Comets, 108-102, to take a share of the lead in the Philippine Basketball Association semifinal round.

The victory tied Crispa with Noritake, which edged Royal Tru-Orange, 134-131, at the West Negros College gym in Bacolod City for its third win against two defeats.

The loss tied the Orangemen with the Comets for last place in the four-team semifinals, each with a 2-3 card.

The Redmanizers riddled the Comet defense three fourths of the way to lead by 24 points at one time but floundered precariously in the dying minutes before firming up their stand to finish with a spare.

Game 11: Toyota 109, Crispa 105 (Nov. 7, 1975)

Toyota extended its winning streak against Crispa to six games in their first of two out-of-town meetings. The Comets’ victory created a tie in the four-team semifinals with the Redmanizers, Noritake and Royal Tru-Orange.

Toyota nips Crispa anew

By Al Mendoza
Bulletin Today
Published Saturday November 8, 1975

ILOILO CITY, Nov. 7 - Toyota, its guns blazing in the first half, cooled off anew in the final half before pulling through with eight seconds left to beat arch-rival Crispa, 109-105, in a pulse-pounding match at the University of San Agustin gym her tonight.

At the Aznar Coliseum in Cebu City, Manuel Paner’s undergoal stab with five ticks left lifted Royal Tru-Orange to an 89-87 win over Noritake that put the four semifinalists dead even with two wins and two losses apiece.

Only two games are left for each team in this double round-robin series in which the top two teams meet for the Philippine Basketball Association second conference championship.

Game 10: Toyota 99, Crispa 94 (Oct. 28, 1975)

Toyota beat Crispa for the fifth consecutive time to close the eliminations of the 1975 PBA second conference. The second round meeting came before the start of the four-team semifinals.

Toyota subdues Crispa, 99-94; N'take qualifies

By Al Mendoza
Bulletin Today
Published Wednesday October 29, 1975

Toyota repeated over Crispa-Floro, 99-94, and Noritake grabbed the fourth and last slot in the semifinals of the Philippine Basketball Association second conference with a hard-earned 107-105 win over Universal Textiles last night in two epic battles held before a jampacked crowd at the Araneta Coliseum.

Although nothing was at stake except prestige, the Toyota-Crispa match was fraught with searing action as both teams put up all they had in the 48-minute battle.

Game 9: Toyota 110, Crispa 108 (Oct. 9, 1975)

Toyota spoiled Crispa's fourth quarter comeback to win their first meeting in the 1975 PBA Second Conference. Ompong Segura's go-ahead basket in the dying seconds prevented the Redmanizers from completing their rally from 17 points down.

Toyota nips Crispa by 2

By Danny Santillan
Bulletin Today
Published Friday October 10, 1975

Toyota nosed out Crispa, 110-108, to an electrifying finish last night, raising its record against the Redmanizers to six wins in nine games in the Philippine Basketball Association at the Araneta Coliseum.

Lean Rodolfo Segura's completion off an assist by Joaquin Rojas, Jr. put a heartbreaking end to a fierce rally that saw Crispa, starring Fortunato Co, come to a 108-all deadlock with five seconds left from a big 57-74 deficit midway in the third quarter.

A jumper by Co, who put in 17 of his 27 points in the last quarter, forged that tie until the 37-year-old Rojas, one of only eight men Comet coach Dante Silverio used all evening, spotted Segura under the goal.

The crowd of 18,000, biggest for the PBA since the start of the second conference, let out a thunderous roar as Segura's basket sloshed through the net and handed the Comets their sixth victory over the Redmanizers and a share of first place with Crispa and Royal Tru-Orange in the eliminations.

Toyota Pennant: Something new, old, borrowed and permanent?

The Sports Weekly Magazine with a look back at Toyota's title victory over Crispa in the 1975 First Conference.

TOYOTA PENNANT
SOMETHING NEW, OLD, BORROWED AND PERMANENT?

Sports Weekly Magazine
Published August 15-22, 1975

The year was 1973 when Dante Silverio sat on his leathery chair fronting a miniature basketball court nestled on his table; his contemplative face suddenly lit up with eagerness upon hearing what was said lightly.

"You can do it," was the repeated phrase.

Dante nodded and eyed back the player-bedecked miniature basketball court, the same area which he thought someday could give him a better share of the spotlight.

There and then, Dante was not just the owner, manager but also the basketball mind of the Toyota Comets.

Column: The Comet Express

Bulletin Today sports editor Lito Fernandez reflected on Toyota' one-sided victory over Crispa in a column that was published two days after the title-clinching Game 4 of the 1975 PBA First Conference finals.

The Comet Express

NEUTRAL CORNER
By Lito Fernandez
Bulletin Today
Published Saturday August 2, 1975

Unbelievable is the word for Toyota's rout of Crispa-Floro in the decisive fourth game of their best-of-five series for the PBA first conference title Thursday night at the Araneta Coliseum. The Comets, who had led by as much as 28 points near the end of the one-sided contest, were up by 21 at the final buzzer.

It was the first time since Crispa rose to power in the late sixties that the Redmanizers lost by such a big margin in a championship game. It also marked the first time that Baby Dalupan's charges lost three in a row to the same team.

Dante Silverio's boys were favored to win, it's true but not by such a margin. After three very close games, who would expect Toyota to run away with the fourth game?

Game 8: Toyota 117, Crispa 94 (July 31, 1975)

Toyota became the PBA's first champion after a convincing victory over Crispa in Game 4 of the 1975 First Conference finals. A 29-point performance by Ompong Segura and another strong showing by Byron "Snake" Jones allowed the Comets to win the best-of-five series, 3-1.

Toyota drubs Crispa, wins PBA crown

By Ding Marcelo
Bulletin Today
Published Friday August 1, 1975

Toyota, working like a mechanical monster of destruction, blasted Crispa mercilessly last night, 117-94, to win the Philippine Basketball Association first conference championship before a crowd of some 30,000 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Playing their usual swarming, sticky defense, and gifted with an unusual high percentage in their offense, the Comets ran down the Redmanizers who battled grimly but folded uncharacteristically when Toyota unleashed a crippling attack in the third quarter.

Not since Crispa became a first rate team in the old MICAA in the late 60s had it been beaten so convincingly and by such a margin in a championship game. So complete, in fact, was the rout, that the trauma of the loss could haunt Crispa for some time to come.

Column: The venom of 'Snake' Jones

Bulletin Today sports editor Lito Fernandez reflected on the impact of Toyota import Byron "Snake" Jones in the Comets' two victories in the 1975 PBA First Conference title series. The column was published on the day of Game 4.

The venom of ‘Snake’ Jones

NEUTRAL CORNER
By Lito Fernandez
Bulletin Today
Published Thursday July 31, 1975

As expected, the best-of-five series  between Crispa and Toyota for the PBA championship did not end in three games. The fourth game will be played today and the fifth, if necessary, is reserved for tomorrow.

The Toyota Comets, thanks to Byron “Snake” Jones, made the extension possible by winning the second game after dropping the first. The Comets again took the third game to turn the series completely around and take a commanding 2-1 lead.

Jones, Toyota’s six-foot-eight American import, has been the main force in Toyota’s drive in the last two games. He has been doing what Comet coach Dante Silverio expects him to do: control the shaded lane and the backboards.

Game 7: Toyota 109, Crispa 105 (July 29, 1975)

Toyota defeated Crispa for the second time in as many nights to move a win shy of capturing the 1975 PBA First Conference championship. Import Byron "Snake" Jones frustrated the Redmanizers anew with his dominating presence on both ends.

Toyota trims Crispa, 109-105
Seeks clincher tomorrow

By Ding Marcelo
Bulletin Today
Published Wednesday July 30, 1975

Toyota humbled Crispa for the second straight time, 109-105, in a bruising contest last night and moved within a game of clinching their best-of-five Philippine Basketball Association championship series at the Araneta Coliseum.

Tempers were hard to contain during the hard, rugged contest and the game almost blew beyond control when a near scuffle between Comet Byron "Snake" Jones and Redmanizer Alfredo Hubalde broke out after Hubalde drove in, five seconds left, and was met by the towering American's blocking arms.

Quick response by police officers averted a free-for-all although when play resumed tension was visibly reflected between the two teams with Fortunato Co, Rey Franco and Robert Jaworski touching off another heated exchange with their two own verbal tussles.

Game 6: Toyota 88, Crispa 87 (July 28, 1975)

American import Byron "Snake" Jones rebounded from his so-so performance in Game 1 to help Toyota win Game 2 of the 1975 PBA First Conference Finals. Jones had 30 points and 25 rebounds as the Comets tied the best-of-five series at 1-1.

Toyota five nips Crispa, 88 to 87

By Ding Marcelo
Bulletin Today
Published July 29, 1975

Toyota withstood the overwhelming pressure of a blistering Crispa rally last night as the Comets subdued the Redmanizers, 88-87, in a low-scoring match to even up their best-of-five Philippine Basketball Association championship at one win apiece at the Araneta Coliseum.

Six-foot-eight Byron "Snake" Jones preserved a sparkling one-man show for the Comets by banging in his team's final point to cushion Toyota from a searing Crispa rally that saw the Redmanizers narrow the gap to 85-86, 58 seconds left, from an early 73-82 deficit.

Jones made it 88-85, 30 ticks remaining, but successive fumbled by Redmanizer Philip Cezar and Comet Francis Arnaiz consumed the time from the resulting turnovers and the Redmanizers never stopped trying after Rodolfo Soriano charitied twice, 88-87, 10 ticks left.

They intercepted the throw-in with seven seconds to go but Cezar stepped on the endline, giving possession back to the Comets.

Game 5: Crispa 107, Toyota 103 (July 24, 1975)

Crispa, playing without the suspended Johnny Revilla, took the opening game of the best-of-five series for the 1975 PBA First Conference championship behind big games from Bogs Adornado and Philip Cezar and a strong defensive effort on Toyota import Byron "Snake" Jones.

Crispa topples Toyota, 107-103

Philippine Daily Express
Published Friday July 25, 1975

QUEZON CITY, July 24 - Crispa weathered a swarming, almost paralyzing Toyota full-court in a torrid finish to win, 107-103, tonight and take a 1-0 lead in their best-of-five series for the first conference championship of the Philippine Basketball Association.

It was an inspiring win, fashioned before another capacity crowd at the Araneta Coliseum, for the Redmanizers, who entered the contest in the unusual role of underdog after absorbing back-to-back losses to the Comets in the semi-finals besides having had to scramble into the finals via a playoff with Universal Textile.

Game 4: Toyota 114, Crispa 102 (July 20, 1975)

Finals-bound Toyota completed a six-game sweep of the PBA first conference semifinals by beating Crispa for the second straight time. The loss forced Crispa to play U-Tex in a playoff for a spot in the title series which the Redmanizers won.

Toyota tops Crispa anew
U-Tex rips Royal, gains playoff

By Ding Marcelo
Bulletin Today
Published Monday July 21, 1975

Toyota, employing what its coach calls a "very simple man-to-man defense," clogged Crispa's vaunted firepower as the Comets made it two straight over the Redmanizers. 114-102, to sweep the Philippine Basketball Association semifinal round at the Araneta Coliseum.

The defeat, Crispa's third, allowed U-Tex to tie the Redmanizers for second place and the two teams meet tomorrow in a knockout game to decide which meets Toyota in a best-of-five series for the PBA first conference title.

The Weavers forged the deadlock by stopping Royal Tru-Orange, 107-96, in the first match of the twinbill that drew a near-capacity crowd of some 22,000.

The ‘Double Slider’ that beat the Redmanizers (July 18-25, 1975)

Toyota found a strategy to beat Crispa for the first time in three tries as described by Sports Weekly Magazine in a July 1975 issue. The Comets’ win over the Redmanizers came during their first semifinal meeting in the PBA First Conference.

STORMY CHARGE TO THE PENNANT

The ‘Double Slider’ that beat the Redmanizers

Sports Weekly Magazine

Published July 18-25, 1975

Tag us repetitious, chirping bird, but still Tuesday night at the Dome, Coach Dante Silverio proved to all and sundry the basketball mind he’s got can pull off a stormy but successful pennant charge in the bedazzled first conference of the play-for-money league.

It was clear case of Dante outwitting Baby Dalupan and the Comets outplaying the Redmanizers, a complete turnabout of their first two meetings where the latter made mincemeat out of the vaunted, Snake Jones-reinforced Toyotas.

Yet it was done the hard way; a spectacular way which further added spice to the already growing friendly rivalry between two of the country’s most respectable coaches., the brains and bench-mentors of two of the most powerful basketball teams ever assembled in the land.

Game 3: Toyota 106, Crispa 104 (July 15, 1975)

A red-hot Francis Arnaiz and Ramon Fernandez led Toyota to its first win over the Bogs Adornado-less Crispa during the semifinals of the 1975 PBA first conference.

Toyota nips Crispa, 106-104

By Ding Marcelo
Bulletin Today
Published Wednesday July 16, 1975

Toyota, starring Francis Arnaiz, finally exploded Crispa's growing  myth of invincibility last night, 106-104, and moved top within a game of earning a finals berth in the Philippine Basketball Association at the Araneta Coliseum.

Arnaiz, a spunky 5-10 former national team mainstay, riddled Crispa's taunted defense with 34 points including the final two that sealed the Redmanizer's fate, six seconds left, 106-102, giving the Comets their third straight victory in the semis.

Game 2: Crispa 143, Toyota 139 (June 8, 1975)

Crispa blew a comfortable lead in regulation but beat Toyota for the second time in the 1975 first conference despite the presence of Comets import Byron "Snake" Jones.

Crispa repeats over Toyota

By Ding Marcelo
Bulletin Today
Published Monday June 9, 1975

Crispa-Floro rose from the crackling pressure of an overtime period last night as it reasserted its supremacy over American-reinforced Toyota, 143-139, in a classic Philippine Basketball Association thriller at the packed Araneta Coliseum.

Denied of a certain victory when the Comets erased a nine-point deficit. 121-130, in the last 90 seconds of regulation, the Redmanizers came back with full fury in the five-minute extension by closing with a 12-8 barrage to register their 11th victory in 15 outings and their second over the Comets.