Toyota rallied from a 17-point deficit in the third to beat Crispa in the opener of the 1979 PBA season. Robert Jaworski and rookie Arnie Tuadles were instrumental in the Tamaraws’ comeback win.
U-Tex, T’duay clash; Gilbey’s debuts today
Bulletin Today
Published Tuesday April 3, 1979
The league opened with a bang Sunday and officials have enough reason for grinning from ear-to-ear with the smashing live gate of some 32,000 fans, who braved the choking heat in the oven-hot Araneta Coliseum.
Toyota, coming back from 17 points down, rolled back arch-rival Crispa, 123-114, in the top attraction of the opening twin-bill and served notice it will take a lot of push from the other teams to dislodge it from the crown.
Skipper Robert Jaworski again starred in his usual style, pumping in a game high 28 points, aside from his towering play in the defensive boards, as the Tamaraws charged back from a 58-75 deficit in the third quarter to completely outplay the bone-tired Redmanizers in the final period.
Toyota got another pleasant surprise from rookie Arnulfo Tuadles, who passed his baptism of fire with flying colors, finishing with 16 points as he blended well with his teammates.
