Toyota blasts Crispa, evens series
By Bert Eljera
Bulletin Today
Published Friday June 29, 1979
Defending champion Toyota, in what its coach said was one of its “perfect nights,” outclassed Crispa, 121-114, last night to square their best-of-five play-offs for the Philippine Basketball Association All-Filipino Conference championship at one game apiece at the Araneta Coliseum.
Banking heavily on Ramon Fernandez’s one-on-one talent, a sustained offensive and Crispa’s lose of heart in the homestretch, the Tamaraws completely dominated play in the fourth quarter to win pulling away and assured at least a fourth game before some 25,000 fans.
“It was a perfect night,” enthused Toyota coach Fortunato Acuna. “We needed the win very badly and everybody responded very well.”
“It was a complete reversal of the first game,” Acuna added. “This time we’re getting back into fine form and this is very necessary because I believe the series will be decided by the physical condition of the team. Kung sino ang hindi makatakbo ay siyang matatalo.”
Although visibly not yet in perfect shape, the gangling Fernandez rammed in the big baskets, mostly on one-on-one plays against Crispa’s Alberto Guidaben that doused cold water on a blistering rally by the Redmanizers in the fourth quarter.
The Redmanizers lost a 79-72 lead in the third quarter, fell behind by 8 points early in the fourth frame, 91-83, but suddenly came alive behind the heroics of Bernard Fabiosa and Guidaben to threaten at 97-91, 10 minutes left.
But Fernandez, who had just recovered from a bout with flu, pumped in four of his 24 points to trigger a 14-11 charge that took the heat off, 111-102, five minutes to go.
“Ang sama sama ng laro, kaya hindi ko na ibinalik,” said Dalupan of Co who played only for ten minutes and 34 seconds in the fourth quarter.
In one of his off nights, the usually high-scoring Co, who fired 35 points when Crispa defeated Toyota, 122-107, in the first game, had only 16 points.
Only Fabiosa, Guidaben and Alfredo Hubalde played up to par in what Dalupan said was a complete turn around from the Redmanizers’ overpowering performance in the first game.
“Bumaliktad. Sila naman ang maganda ang laro ngayon,” muttered Dalupan who added that they will utilize the four days rest prior to the third game for some light workouts and to map out a new strategy.
The third game of the series will be played on Tuesday, the fourth game on Thursday, and the rubber match if necessary on July 7 also at the Araneta Coliseum.
Earlier, Filmanbank trounced Tanduay, 111-100, to also even their best-of-five series fro third place at one win each.
Rudolph Kutch played hero for the Bankers when he fired 14 of his game-high 31 points in the fourth quarter to ignite a 20-0 binge that hoisted Filmanbank on top to stay, 105-95.
For a while, it looked as if the Redmanizers could still overhaul the Tamaraws’ nine-point lead with 5:20 to go when Toyota suddenly came into foul trouble with Fernandez, Robert Jaworski and Francis Arnaiz picking up five fouls each.
But with still 2:04 to go and Crispa behind by 8 points, 121-113, Dalupan, in a surprise move, pulled out his first stringers and sent in his second team in a gesture of surrender.
Jaworski fired 25 points while Arnaiz had 18, and Ernesto Estrada 17 points after Fernandez’ 24 points.
Fabiosa, who sparked early in the third quarter when he fired 13 points that gave the Redmanizers that 7-point lead, 79-72, finished with 24 points, while Guidaben, who played brilliantly in the first half, had 22 points.
The scores:
Toyota — 121
Jaworski 25
Fernandez 24
Arnaiz 18
Estrada 17
Estrada 17
Tuadles 14
King 10
Bulaong 6
Sta. Maria 4
Salazar 2
Legaspi 0
Crispa — 114
Fabiosa 24
Guidaben 22
Hubalde 20
Cezar 20
Co 16
Adornado 8
D.L. Cruz 4
Dionisio 0
Javier 0
Gulfin 0
Varela 0
Toyota 28 30 30 33 — 121
Crispa 28 28 27 31 — 114
Quarterscores: 28-29, 58-56, 88-83, 121-114
Refs: R. Bartolome, T. de los Reyes, F. Santarina
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