Game 62: Toyota 109, Crispa 104 (Dec. 5, 1978)

Toyota completed a sweep of the 1978 PBA third conference eliminations by beating Crispa, but much of the attention was on Tanduay’s win over U-Tex that put the Esquires in the championship series against the Tamaraws.

Tanduay tops U-Tex five

By Ding Marcelo

Bulletin Today

Published Wednesday Dec. 6, 1978

Tanduay ended a four-year quest for a championship berth last night by ramming down U-Tex, 98-92, to arrange a best-of-five showdown with Toyota for the PBA third conference title starting tomorrow.

The title-hungry Esquires leaned on the sprightly legs and steady fire of 34-year-old Freddie Webb to score the victory and assure Tanduay its loftiest finish in the league.

The Tamaraws completed a sweep of the elimination round with a 109-104 win over the slumping Crispa Redmanizers, who finished fourth in the elims with a 1-3 card.

Game 61: Toyota 130, Crispa 119 (Nov. 2, 1978)

Toyota frustrated Crispa behind a third quarter surge to create a tie for second behind Crispa with two playdates left in the 1978 PBA second conference semifinals.

U-Tex nips Tanduay; Toyota drubs Crispa

By Bert Eljera

Bulletin Today

Published Friday Nov. 3, 1978

Glenn McDonald shot 52 points — a new scoring record in the semifinal round in another stirring performance last night to spark U-Tex to an uphill 100-98 victory over Tanduay that earned for the Wranglers a tie for a slot in the finals of the PBA second conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

The victory — the Wranglers’ fourth straight — preceded Toyota’s vengeful 130-119 thumping of Crispa which put the Tamaraws back in serious contention for a berth in the two-team finals.

Toyota’s win placed the Tamaraws and the 400s dead even in second place with identical 2-2 cards, with a three-way tie for first place among U-Tex, Crispa and Toyota now a possibility.

Game 60: Crispa 136, Toyota 123 (Oct. 22, 1978)

Crispa recovered from being down in the first quarter to beat Toyota at the start of the 1978 PBA second conference semifinals. The win also the 400s’ third against the Tamaraws in as many games in the tournament.

Crispa five downs Toyota

By Bert Eljera

Bulletin Today

Published Monday Oct. 23, 1978

Defending champion Crispa, taking advantage of the absence of Toyota import Carlos Terry, overcame an early 13-point deficit to turn back the Tamaraws, 136-123, in the opening games of the PBA second conference semfinals at the Araneta Coliseum.

Terry sprained his ankle three days ago and watched the action from the bench with his right foot in plaster cast.

With him out, the Tams were routed at center where Crispa imports Ansley Truitt and Paul Mills proved too much for Bruce “Sky” King.

Game 59: Crispa 112, Toyota 105 (Sept. 16, 1978)

Crispa repeated over Toyota to enhance its chances of making the semifinals of the 1978 PBA second conference.

Crispa turns back Toyota

Bulletin Today

Published Sunday Sept. 17, 1978

Defending champion Crispa relied on steady foul shooting in the homestretch last night to roll back Toyota, 112-105, and boost its semifinal bid in the PBA second conference.

The victory — a repeat of the Redmanizers’ 129-108 win over the Tamaraws in the first round of eliminations — gave the defending titlists sole possession of third place with a 7-4 record behind pacesetting Tanduay (8-2) and U-Tex (7-4).

The loss dropped the Tamaraws to a tie for fourth place with idle Royal Tru-Orange with identical 6-5 records.

Game 58: Crispa 129, Toyota 108 (Aug. 12, 1978)

Bogs Adornado flashed his old form, leading Crispa to victory over Toyota in the first round of the 1978 PBA second conference. Imports Ansley Truitt and Paul Mills were also instrumental in the 400s victory.

Crispa crushes Toyota by 21

By Bert Eljera

Bulletin Today

Published Sunday Aug. 13, 1978

Crispa, sparked by William Adornado and imports Ansley Truitt and Paul Mills, routed Toyota in the third quarter, 40-22, and went on to crush the Tamaraws, 129-108, last night at the Araneta Coliseum before some 25,000 fans who braved the stormy weather.

After trailing in the first two quarters, Baby Dalupan’s charges made fans forget about their loss to U-Tex last Thursday when they smashed the Tamaraws’ defense with impunity in the second half to win by a crushing margin.

Adornado, rounding back to his old form, and Mills engineered a crippling third-quarter blitz which razed a 53-49 Toyota halftime lead and started the defending champions to victory.

Game 57: Toyota 116, Crispa 108 (July 6, 1978)

Toyota foiled Crispa’s comeback attempt to gain a spot in the 1978 PBA All-Filipino Conference championship against sister team Filmanbank. The loss denied Crispa a finals appearance for the second straight conference.

Toyota, Filmanbank will dispute crown

By Bert Eljera

Bulletin Today

Published Friday July 7, 1978

Toyota squandered a big 29-point lead but held on to a 116-108 victory over Crispa and Filmanbank came from behind to beat Tanduay, 103-93, last night to enter the best-of-five series for the PBA All-Filipino Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

Like a stampeding herd, the Tamaraws trampled the fumbling Redmanizers in the first two quarters for a big 29-point lead, 62-33, but the Redmanizers, led by Fortunato Co, Jr., came charging back in the final period and almost turned the tide in their favor.

Game 56: Crispa 143, Toyota 127 (June 29, 1978)

Crispa moved within a win of advancing to the championship series of the 1978 PBA All-Filipino Conference after exacting a measure of revenge on Toyota in their first semifinal meeting.

Crispa trounces Toyota quintet, 143-127

By Ding Marcelo

Bulletin Today

Published Friday June 30, 1978

Crispa’s concentrated fury boiled over Toyota last night as the Redmanizers routed the Tamaraws, 143-127, and moved within a game of clinching a finals berth in the Philippine Basketball Association All-Filipino Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

Emotions ran high in the electric encounter as Crispa center Alberto Guidaben, seeking redress over a foul committed on him earlier, deliberately hit Ramon Fernandez in the face late in the third quarter, Crispa ahead, 100-83.

Tamaraw Jess Sta. Maria threw the ball at Guidaben in retaliation and both were thrown out of the contest. The penalty carries at least a one-game suspension.

3 players suspended (June 23, 1978)

PBA Commissioner Leo Prieto suspended and fined three players while Crispa and Toyota were also handed stiff sanctions for the heated exchanges that marred their 1978 PBA All-Filipino Conference match.

3 players suspended; PBA semis on today

Bulletin Today

Published Saturday June 24, 1978

Hit by fines and suspensions slapped on some of their key players, tournament favorites Toyota and Crispa tackle separate rivals today at the start of the semifinals of the Philippine Basketball Association All-Filipino Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

That brawling game last Tuesday has exacted a dear price on both the Tamaraws and the Redmanizers.

Toyota plays surging Filmanbank at 5:30 p.m. minus backcourt-man Fortunato Acuna while Crispa is in a more difficult situation as it will face Tanduay at 7:30 p.m. without the services of Philip Cezar and Gregorio Dionisio.

Silverio on Floro's comments (June 22, 1978)

Toyota coach Dante Silverio responded to comments made by Crispa team manager Danny Floro, who deplored the Tamaraws for what he described as rough house tactics.

Film’bank ousts U-Tex, 103-96

Bulletin Today

Published Friday June 23, 1978

Big Billy Robinson provided the muscle and delivered the key baskets last night as Filmanbank eliminated U-Tex, 103-96, to bag the fourth and last seat in the semifinals of the PBA All-Filipino Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

In his usual role as the Bankers’ workhorse, the burly Robinson ruled the boards and pumped in 15 of his 32 points to spark a decisive fourth quarter splurge that buried the Wranglers for good.

Fine for 2 PBA teams (June 22, 1978)

Bulletin Today sports editor Lito Fernandez opined in his column that both Toyota and Crispa deserve at least a fine for their heated match in the 1978 PBA All-Filipino Conference eliminations.

Fine for 2 PBA teams

THE NEUTRAL CORNER
By Lito P. Fernandez

Bulletin Today

Published Thursday June 22, 1978

Crispa and Toyota should be both fined by the Philippine Basketball Association for turning their rematch Tuesday night into a virtual slugging contest. Many players got hurt, including Crispa center Alberto Guidaben who was hospitalized after he was hit in the jaw by Ramon Fernandez midway in the first quarter.

It is really hard to understand why the two teams had to resort to such dangerous fouls and body tackles when they could have easily played a hard, clean game like they did in their first game last May 18.

Two players may be suspended (June 22, 1978)

Hefty sanctions loomed after Crispa-Toyota figured in heated incidents that marred their second round match in the 1978 PBA All-Filipino Conference.

U-Tex-Fil’bank playoff tonight

2 players may be suspended

Bulletin Today

Published Thursday June 22, 1978

The looming suspension of at least two players, the possible loss of a key cager by Crispa and another harsh reprimand against referees shadow tonight’s playoff between U-Tex and Filmanbank for the fourth and last semifinal slot in the All-Filipino Conference of the Philippine Basketball Association at the Araneta Coliseum.

The tumult and controversy stem from Tuesday night’s Crispa-Toyota encounter that saw one player from each team ejected for rough play and Redmanizers center Alberto Guidaben rushed to the hospital after absorbing what spectators believed was a deliberate punch from Tamaraw Ramon Fernandez.

Sentinels Gregorio Dionisio of Crispa and Fortunato Acuna of Toyota were ejected by the referees late in the torrid match and organizers are meeting today to decide whether to fine or suspend the players or impose both penalties.

Game 55: Toyota 158, Crispa 135 (June 20, 1978)

Toyota avenged its first round loss to Crispa by winning an eventful final game of the double-round eliminations marred by incidents that nearly triggered a free-for-all.

Toyota by 23; U-Tex in playoff

By Bert Eljera

Bulletin Today

Published Wednesday June 21, 1978

Toyota, in devastating form, crushed Crispa, 158-135, last night in a rugged, physical game that was only a few shades short of being a fistic contest before a full house at the Araneta Coliseum.

Two players were ejected from the game — one for throwing a punch and the other for a vicious tackle — while Crispa slotman Alberto Guidaben went out of the game for good after sustaining what was initially diagnosed as a fractured jaw early in the first quarter.

Tamaraws outgunned (May 20, 1978)

Bulletin Today sports editor Lito Fernandez broke down Crispa’s win over Toyota in their first meeting of the 1978 PBA season.

Tamaraws outgunned

THE NEUTRAL CORNER

By Lito Fernandez

Bulletin Today

Published Saturday May 20, 1978

The two Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) heavyweights clashed Thursday night and the team that packed the more powerful punch won.

Crispa, scoring heavily on inside hits, set up Toyota for the kill in the second quarter when the Redmanizers routed the Tamaraws, 37-21, for a commanding 62-48 halftime lead. After the Tams had closed in at 88-85 in the third period, the defending champions delivered the knockout blow in the final quarter with a 35-25 salvo.

Game 54: Crispa 123, Toyota 110 (May 18, 1978)

Crispa halted Toyota’s unbeaten start at six games after winning their first meeting in the 1978 PBA season. The match spoiled new Tamaraw Danny Florencio's debut in the rivalry.

Crispa topples Toyota, 123-110

By Bert Eljera

Bulletin Today

Published Friday May 19, 1978

Defending champion Crispa smashed favored Toyota last night, 123-110, in a rugged game before some 22,000 fans at the close of the first round of the PBA All-Filipino Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

In what Crispa coach Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan termed as their best game of the season, the Redmanizers oozed with speed and firepower to rout the previously unbeaten Tamaraws.

The victory, which tied Crispa and Toyota for the lead with identical 6-1 records, boosted the Redmanizers’ overall edge over the Tamaraws to 30-24.