Philip Cezar marked his return from a lengthy suspension by leading Crispa to a win over Toyota in their first meeting of the 1976 PBA season. The match also saw the ejection of Abet Guidaben for throwing a punch at Ramon Fernandez in the second quarter.
Crispa trims Toyota, 105-95
By Ding Marcelo
Bulletin Today
Published Wednesday May 5, 1976
Crispa-Floro, playing an inspired, heads-up game, outgunned arch-rival Toyota, 105-95, last night and reasserted its reputation as the country’s top all-Filipino team in the first round wind-up of the Philippine Basketball Association tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.
The Redmanizers, who trailed by as much as eight points early in the second quarter, bucked the disqualification of center Alberto Guidaben to score the prestige-laden victory that pulled them abreast with the Comets on top of the standings with identical 7-1 records.
Guidaben was thrown out barely 15 minutes of the game for throwing a punch at Comet Ramon Fernandez during a rebound scuffle underneath the Toyota goal.
Despite claims of Guidaben that he blocked out when Fernandez reportedly swung at him, the offense carried automatic suspension and a fine of not less than P500.
