Behind the debut performance of import James Hardy, Crispa beat Toyota to open the season-opening 1981 PBA Open Conference before more than 20,000 fans at the Big Dome.
Crispa beats Toyota, 112-97, in PBA inaugurals
By Philip Evardone
Bulletin Today
Published Monday March 9, 1981
Crispa defeated arch-rival Toyota, 112-97, behind the spectacular debut of James Hardy last night in the 1981 Philippine Basketball Association Open Conference inaugural presentation at the Araneta Coliseum.
The 24-year-old Hardy banged in 24 points, 10 of them in an explosive rally in the last five minutes that sealed the doom for the Tamaraws.
Hardy, who came in the peak of his playing condition after helping Anchorage into the title playoffs in the Continental Basketball Association, also outclassed his Toyota counterparts on both boards to an awesome display of cage craftmanship rarely seen in local hardcourts.
“This is a guy whom we have been looking for,” commented Crispa coach Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan in reference to the 6’8’’ (203.2 cms) Hardy.
“He is one of whom we can rely on in all aspects of the game,” Dalupan added.
Even Toyota coach Edgardo Ocampo was all praise for the power-leaping Crispa import.
“Hardy played a fantastic game and I think it provided the big difference,” Ocampo said.
“I think we also played too hard because it’s Crispa whom we’re up to,” Ocampo said. “We tried so hard that we lost our own kind of game.”
Gilbey’s Gin came from behind to beat Yco-Tanduay, 96-95, in the first game.
Larry McNeil presided over the Gin’s scoring onslaught with 28 points and put in the marginal basket in the last six seconds on an assist by Willie Generalao.
Jaime Manansala scored on a three-point basket with one second left but the goal was nullified because he was charged with an offensive foul.
A crowd of some 20,500, who paid gate prices ranging from P7 for general admission and at least P50 for ringside and lower box seats, showed up to witness the inaugural twinbill.
Eduardo Cojuangco, Jr., project director for sports, tossed the ceremonial first ball after the traditional opening fanfare.
Hitting 47 percent from the field, the Redmanizers controlled the tempo of the contest from start to finish, although the Tamaraws managed to hold Crispa to 13 ties and four lead changes in the first two quarters.
Outrebounded, 45-51, the Tams were still in the game throughout the third quarter until the Redmanizers caught fire with five minutes left behind Hardy, Alfredo Hubalde and Gregorio Dionisio.
Crispa was ahead by just three points, 90-87, when Hardy ignited a 15-2 Crispa blast that shoved the Redmanizers on top by 16 points, 105-89.
It was Crispa’s sixth victory in the last seven matches of their storied rivalry with Toyota and it gave the Redmanizers an overall 51-44 lead.
The individual scores:
Crispa — 112
Hardy 24
Cezar 19
Co 16
Guidaben 13
Hubalde 13
Jones 10
Dionisio 9
Fabiosa 6
Mamaril 2
D.L. Cruz 0
Javier 0
Espinosa 0
Toyota — 97
Fernandez 17
Florencio 13
Jaworski 13
Fields 12
Tuadles 12
Arnaiz 9
Wertz 7
Herrera 6
King 4
Bulaong 4
Legaspi 0
Merced 0
Quarterscores: 26-24, 55-52, 74-73, 112-97
Crispa 26 29 19 38 — 112
Toyota 24 28 21 24 — 97
Refs: J. Obias, R. Victorino, N. Mateo
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