The rivalry (April 20, 2023)

Lito Tacujan, who covered the infant years of the PBA before becoming the sports editor of The Philippine Star, reflected on the great Crispa-Toyota rivalry in 2023 and was later posted by Philstar.com.

The rivalry

By Lito A. Tacujan

Posted Thursday, April 20, 2023

Philstar.com

Its all fire and brimstone.

The be-all and end-all of what the core of the PBA was all about in its first eight years.

The Crispa-Toyota rivalry was probably forged in hell for all the scintillating  games they dished out, the thrillers that sometimes ended in violent brawls and inflicted injuries to the players.

Or at one time being hauled to a military camp.

 

“There’s no rivalry so intense, contentious, personal.” said an old PBA watcher.

Heart, guts in game of the year (June 2, 2003)

Recah Trinidad wrote his reflections on Toyota’s victory over Crispa in the 2003 Reunion Game on his regular column for the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Heart, guts in game of the year

BARE EYE
By Recah Trinidad

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Published Monday, June 2, 2003

THEY played the PBA game of the year way, way ahead of schedule.

Nobody had expected it.

In fact, the Crispa-Toyota reunion match was originally conceived as an appetizer, a so-so rematch to raise the curtains for the All-Star weekend.

Whoever altered the Friday night script at the Big Dome, and turned the appetizer into the main event, must be having the biggest laugh of his life.

Reunion: Forgotten dream revisited (June 1, 2003)

Robert Jaworski and Ramon Fernandez reflected on the defining moment of Toyota’s victory over Crispa in the 2003 PBA Reunion Game.

Crispa cries rematch

By June Navarro

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Published Sunday June 1, 2003

IT was a forgotten dream revisited.

Not even Sen. Robert Jaworski, who drilled in the night’s most memorable basket, had fancied such a fantastic ending.

The old, graying devotees came to worship in hordes again.

The players, cold, rusty engines, started their battle slowly, taking creaky strides as though climbing a mountain.

But once they hit their stride, the old, bitter rivalry smoldered.

Reunion: Redmanizers call for ‘return bout’ (June 1, 2003)

The Crispa Redmanizers were quick to challenge the Toyota Tamaraws to a rematch after ending up on the losing end of their Reunion Game in 2003.

Redmanizers call for ‘return bout’

By Tito S. Talao

Manila Bulletin

Published Sunday June 1, 2003

Like “Harry Potter” and “Star Wars” and the Ali-Frazier trilogy, the Crispa-Toyota saga is dying for a new lease in life.

Just when everybody thought the glowing embers were dead, with Robert Jaworski’s picture-perfect three-point shot — his only field goal attempt for the evening — providing the exclamation point to the Philippine Basketball Association’s most bitter rivalry, Terry Saldana, the Reunion Game’s MVP, stepped in and stoked the flicker into a flame.

Reunion: Toyota 65, Crispa 61 (May 30, 2003)

Robert Jaworski’s three off a pass by Ramon Fernandez in the final seconds sealed Toyota’s victory over Crispa in a classic 2003 Reunion Game between the two bitter rivals at the Araneta Coliseum.

‘A joyride back in time’

By Tito Talao

Manila Bulletin

Published Saturday May 31, 2003

FOR PERHAPS the last time in a decade-long rivalry that spanned ages, bridged generations, broke barriers and shattered records, the two greatest basketball forces in the land — the Crispa Redmanizers and the Toyota Super Corollas, clashed for posterity, finally bringing down the curtains before thousands of adoring Philippine Basketball Association fans at the Araneta Coliseum.

And 14 years after it was first extended, Ramon Fernandez returned the favor to Robert Jaworski.

Back in the unforgettable 1989 All-Star game, Jaworski hit Fernandez with a perfect pass under the basket and Fernandez glided under and scored an impossible reverse layup at the buzzer as the Veterans came from behind to defeat the Rookies/Sophomores team, 132-130.

This time, the feeder became the executioner.

Reunion: Crispa, Toyota clash (May 30, 2003)

Crispa and Toyota were bracing a slow-paced but intense encounter in their Reunion Game that kicked off the 2003 PBA All-Star Weekend at the Araneta Coliseum.

Crispa, Toyota clash tonight

Tempo

Published Friday May 30, 2003

Fortunato Co vowed to whip the Toyota Super Corollas. To this Chito Loyzaga responded they will make the Crispa Redmanizers eat their words.

Demons from the past will be resurrected at 5 p.m. today when the Philippine Basketball Association’s legendary ball clubs clash for their reunion game before a huge nostalgic crowd at the Araneta Coliseum, site of these teams’ most memorable battles.

Reunion: Crispa also wants to win (May 28, 2003)

Crispa held a practice session at the Pasig Sports Center two days before facing arch rival Toyota in the Reunion Game of the 2003 PBA All-Star Weekend.

Crispa also wants to win

Manila Bulletin

Published Thursday May 29, 2003

IT MAY be a fun game, but take it from us.

This Crispa-Toyota Reunion Game is serious stuff for the two former PBA squads whose legendary rivalry made the PBA what it is today — the most successful league ever.

Reunion: One match for old time's sake (May 26, 2003)

Robert Jaworski headed straight to the Cuneta Astrodome after his work at the Senate to join Toyota's preparation for the 2003 Reunion Game against rival Crispa.

Jawo: One match for old time’s sake

By Dodo Catacutan Jr.

Manila Bulletin

Published Wednesday May 28, 2003

THE FIRST time he joined the scrimmage, he threw a length-of-the-court pass which for a moment looked as if it would sail over Ed Camus’ head, but at the last moment dropped into the overweight ex-Toyota Comet’s hands right under the basket. Easy two points.

Right there, you know: Robert Jaworski’s in the house.

“I’m out of shape and out of touch, but for old time’s sake I think this will be good,” Jaworski said on Monday night, the first time he joined his fellow ex-Toyota players in practice for Friday’s highly anticipated Legends game against the Crispa Redmanizers.

Reunion: Dalupan to coach Crispa vs Toyota (May 23, 2003)

Legendary coach Baby Dalupan confirmed his participation in the Crispa-Toyota reunion after initially begging off due to a family gathering.

Dalupan to coach Crispa vs Toyota

By Dennis U. Eroa

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Published Saturday May 24, 2003

IT’S on with the reunion.

Coach Baby Dalupan, who had begged off to attend a family affair, yesterday confirmed during the weekly SCOOP Forum at the Kamayan West his willingness to coach Crispa in its much-awaited reunion against Toyota on May 30 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Boomy Guerrero, Dalupan’s grandson, first called SCOOP president Eddie Alinea to say his grandfather would like to coach the Redmanizers.

Later, it was Dalupan himself, owner of 13 PBA titles, who made an overseas call to Alinea to confirm his attendance.

Reunion: Rekindling a cage rivalry (May 19, 2003)

Players of both Crispa and Toyota were eager to show their competitive spirit less than two weeks before the Reunion Game of the two bitter rivals at the 2003 PBA All-Star Weekend.

‘Bakbakan to!’

pba.com.ph

Published Monday May 19, 2003

The commissioner jokingly called them grandfathers. But don’t let that fool you. 

If only for the way Atoy Co defined the line that separated today’s game in the Philippine Basketball Association from that of the yesteryears, the reunion match between fierce rivals Crispa and Toyota, the May 30 event is going to be more than just a collection of grumpy old fogies in tight tank tops and short shorts. 

"Ang game noon, maraming tirahan. Pag magaling ka, titirahin ka," said the Fortune Cookie, one of the league’s most celebrated perimeter gunners.

Reunion: Arnaiz can't play in reunion game (May 14, 2003)

Francis Arnaiz was forced to miss the Crispa-Toyota reunion game due to his duties working for the California state government.

Arnaiz can’t play in PBA All-Star game

By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Manila Standard

Published Wednesday May 14, 2003

Francis Arnaiz, who played “Robin” to Robert Jaworski as “Batman” in the glory days of the Toyota-Crispa rivalry in the Philippine Basketball Association, has sent his regrets to Commissioner Noli Eala that he will not be able to play in the revival showdown between the two top teams of the pro league’s first decade.

The Toyota-Crispa game will be a highlight of this year’s All-Star Weekend and Arnaiz had earlier told both his bosom buddy Jaworski and Eala that he was working out in preparation for the much-awaited battle with Crispa.

Reunion: An All-Star Week like no other (May 13, 2003)

The highly-anticipated Crispa-Toyota reunion match served as a kickoff to the 2003 PBA All-Star Weekend at the Araneta Coliseum.

An All-Star Week like no other

Manila Standard

Published Tuesday May 13, 2003

The Philippine Basketball Association All-Star Week returns this year with a promise of lots of fun, thrill and excitement, a doze of nostalgia and slam-bang action on May 30 and 31 and June 1 at the Araneta Coliseum.

The country’s premier sports entertainment show is so determined to make up for the nonstaging of the All-Star spectacle last year that it is lining up a program of activities one should not miss. The annual All-Star Week wasn’t held last year with the league tied up so much with the country’s participation in the Asian Games in Busan, Korea.

There will be the usual Fans Day on May 31 and the reunion game between former fierce rivals Crispa and Toyota on the 30th.

Reunion: Jaworski to play in reunion game (May 7, 2003)

Robert Jaworski, who had set aside his familiar role as basketball's living legend to serve as senator, accepted an invitation to suit up in the 2003 legends game between Crispa and Toyota.

Jaworski to play in Crispa-Toyota All-Star reunion game

pba.com.ph

Published Wednesday May 7, 2003

For one fleeting moment, PBA fans will be treated to a nostalgic spectacle and rare chance to travel down memory lane.

Oh yes, the Living Legend promised to be there wearing his famous No. 7.

Robert Jaworski, arguably the best thing that ever happened to Philippine basketball, on Monday said yes to an invitation to play in the 2003 All-Star Reunion Game, marking the return of the man they call the "Living Legend" after more than six years in retirement.

The cage legend that was Crispa (March 3, 1985)

Crispa's disbandment served as a cover of the March 3, 1985 issue of the Philippine Panorama, with sportswriter Al Mendoza providing an in-depth story of how the Redmanizers decided to end their glorious PBA tenure.

THE CAGE LEGEND THAT WAS CRISPA

By Al S. Mendoza

Philippine Panorama

Published Sunday March 3, 1985

BASKETBALL’S self-styled experts had misread their crystal balls. Even the scalper, the most grizzled cage scientist in the land, didn’t see it coming. Nobody had dared say it was blowin’ in the wind.

So, when it finally came, it came like a thunderbolt. The news sent shock waves all over the land. To millions of cage devotees in this basketball-crazed nation, it was simply unbelievable.

Barber shops and plush coffee shop, talipapa and supermarket, every conceivable public space was abuzz. From Aparri to Jolo, from Marawi to Laoag, people were asking: “How come? What happened? Why?”

A champion for all time (Feb. 5, 1985)

Ding Marcelo shared his thoughts on Crispa’s disbandment during his Sportsfan column for Tempo which was published four days the Redmanizers sold the franchise to Shell.

A champion for all time

SPORTSFAN

By Ding Marcelo

Tempo

Published Tuesday Feb. 5, 1985

IT seems almost unbelievable that a man like Danny Floro would disband his fabled Crispa basketball team. We say so because basketball is practically Danny’s life and to take it away from him is like stopping the flow of oxygen into his body. Meaning, it’s like committing suicide.

But, like in the pop song, all things must pass. Danny has perhaps a thousand and one reason to justify his pullout, rationalize his exit, explain his withdrawal but none of which will ever satisfy the thousands of Crispa fans who have stuck with the team from crisis to triumph.

Crispa disbanded (Feb. 1, 1985)

Crispa’s legendary run in the PBA came to an end before the start of the 1985 season after an agreement was reached to sell its franchise to Shell.

Crispa bows out of PBA

Bulletin Today

Published Saturday Feb. 2, 1985

Crispa’s once mighty Redmanizers, the Philippine Basketball Association’s winningest team with a record 13 championships in 10 years, including two grand slams, are bowing out of the professional cage scene.

Reason: Crispa has sold out lock, stock and barrel, to Shell Chemicals, a 60 percent Filipino-owned company engaged in agricultural development.

Guam: Crispa 108, Toyota 92 (March 5, 1984)

Crispa denied Toyota a chance to bid goodbye on a winning note after salvaging a split of their two-game exhibition series in Guam.

Crispa strikes back against tired Toyota

By Bert Eljera

Tempo

Published Wednesday March 7, 1984

GUAM, March 6 (via Philcom) — Toyota’s bid for a glorious exit turned into a nightmare Monday night as Crispa, playing like it was the one saying goodbye, came through with a devastating fourth quarter to pull off a 108-92 victory over the Corollas here.

The Redmanizers, stung by the humiliating loss in the first game Sunday, spewed fire throughout this time and buried the fast-tiring Corollas with relentless fastbreaks before another sell-out crowd at the University of Guam gym.

Guam: Toyota 109, Crispa 101 (March 4, 1984)

Toyota won the first of their two-game farewell series against Crispa in Guam behind Abe King and Robert Jaworski. The Super Corollas played their sendoff tour without star center Ramon Fernandez.

Toyota bombs Crispa

‘The boys were determined’

By Bert Eljera

Tempo

Published Tuesday March 6, 1984

GUAM, March 5 (via Philcom) — Toyota, trying to leave behind the legacy of a true champion, played with its old fire Sunday to humble Crispa, 109-101 in a game filled with the color of their past encounters before a highly-enthusiastic crowd here.

It was close all the way and the match was decided in the last four minutes — as in most of their past encounters — with the Corollas finishing strong and the Redmanizers turning ice-cold.

Abe King, sizzling from afar, fired a game-high 32 points. Arnulfo Tuadles had 23 and nine rebounds, six of them offensive, but it was Robert Jaworski, playing with a sense of mission, who personally assured the victory.

The Day Toyota Died (March 4, 1984)

Al Mendoza looked back at the stunning decision of the Toyota management to sell its franchise to Beer Hausen prior to the start of the 1984 season in a lengthy feature published by the Philippine Panorama.

The Day Toyota Died

By Al S. Mendoza

Philippine Panorama

Published Sunday March 4, 1984

THE ANNOUNCEMENT came minutes before noon of February 15.

“Management has been grateful to all you guys,” Jack Rodriguez started. Ten men of all sizes didn’t know it was coming. They were all in a happy mood. They have no inkling that anybody, least of all Jack, would be so nasty as to break their hearts. Just the day before they had celebrated Valentine’s Day. One of the boys didn’t make it to Jack’s office because he had overslept.

“Your achievements brought honor to the company,” Jack continued. “The feats that made Toyota one of the great basketball teams in the land made us all very happy and proud of you all.” Pause. The boys started to sense something eerie.

“Hey, what’s this?” one of them asked.

Guam: Crispa, Toyota prevail (March 3, 1984)

Crispa and Toyota handily beat their local counterparts in a prelude to their two-game exhibition series in Guam.

Crispa, Toyota win in Guam

By Joe Quirino

Tempo

Published Monday March 5, 1984

GUAM, March 4 (via Philcom) — Crispa showed too much class in routing the Varsity selection, 134-109, Saturday night in a warm-up for its duel with arch-rival Toyota here.

It was a real treat for the thousands of Filipino fans who jammed the University of Guam gym as the multi-titled Redmanizers virtually toyed with the Americans.