Game 53: Toyota 119, Crispa 108 (Dec. 6, 1977)

Toyota defeated Crispa in their only meeting in the 1977 PBA Invitational Championship. The Tamaraws improved to 3-0 while dealing the Redmanizers their first loss in the season’s third conference.

Toyota rips Crispa by 11

By Bert Eljera

Bulletin Today

Published Wednesday Dec. 7, 1977

Toyota smashed Crispa’s defense with its searing fasrtbreak plays last night to score a 119-108 victory and grab the solo lead in the PBA Invitational Championship before some 20,000 fans at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Tams, who set the all-time record of 102 points scored on fastbreaks last Thursday, were again unstoppable as they tallied 62 points on fastbreaks alone and were seriously threatened after taking the first quarter by 11 points, 38-27.

“If we keep on playing like this, I think we have a good chance of winning the championship,” said Toyota coach Dante Silverio whose boys had failed to make it to the finals twice this season.

Game 52: Crispa 90, Toyota 87 (Nov. 19, 1977)

Crispa rallied in the second half to beat Toyota and earn a spot in the championship series of the 1977 PBA second conference against U-Tex. The loss marked the second straight time the Tamaraws failed to make the finals.

Crispa shades Toyota, 90-87

By Bert Eljera

Bulletin Today

Published Sunday Nov. 20, 1977

Crispa, down nearly three-fourths of the way, edged Toyota in their playoff last night, 90-87, to gain the right to meet U-Tex for the championship of the PBA second conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

The best-of-five series starts on Tuesday with the Redmanizers and the Wranglers clashing at 7:30 p.m.

The Tamaraws, missing the finals for the second straight time meet the 7-Up Uncolas at 5:30 p.m. in the opener of their own best-of-five series for third place.

Game 51: Toyota 104, Crispa 92 (Nov. 17, 1977)

Toyota defeated Crispa in the final day of the semifinals to force a playoff between both teams for the right to face U-Tex in the 1977 PBA second conference championship series. 

Toyota routs Crispa, gains playoff

By Bert Eljera

Bulletin Today

Published Friday Nov. 18, 1977

Toyota, playing with machine-like precision, steamrolled Crispa last night, 104-92, to arrange a playoff with the Redmanizers for the second championship slot in the Philippine Basketball Association second conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

Coming up with near-flawless outside shooting, the Tamaraws built up an imposing 25-point bubble in the first quarter and a 29-point lead in the third period and used this to cushion a fourth-quarter Crispa rally.

The two teams thus closed out the two-round semifinals with an identical 7-3 win-loss records in a tie for second place behind front-running U-Tex, which earlier bagged the first finals berth.

Game 50: Crispa 121, Toyota 116 (Nov. 3, 1977)

Crispa made crucial free throws in the final minutes to beat Toyota in the first semifinal meeting in the 1977 PBA second conference. The Redmanizers beat the Tamaraws who played without Francis Arnaiz due to an injury.

Crispa tops Toyota; U-Tex wins

By Bert Eljera

Bulletin Today

Published Friday Nov. 4, 1977

Crispa, scoring heavily on charities in the fourth quarter, turned back the foul-troubled Toyota Tamaraws, 121-116, to stay in the running in the semifinals of the Philippine Basketball Association second conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Redmanizers scored their last 25 points mostly on the foul line to break open the pendulum-like game and then withstood a desperate full-court press and double-teaming defense by the Tamaraws in the closing seconds to post the victory, their second in four games.

Game 49: Toyota 132, Crispa 120 (Oct. 25, 1977)

Toyota ended eight straight defeats against Crispa by winning the final game of the 1977 PBA Second Conference eliminations that saw the absence of Francis Arnaiz and Bernie Fabiosa and the ejection of Atoy Co.

Toyota dumps Crispa; 7-Up wins

Bulletin Today

Published Wednesday Oct. 26, 1977

Toyota overpowered a crippled Crispa team last night, 132-120, in a no-bearing but prestige-laden game before a banner crowd at the Araneta Coliseum in the windup of the PBA Second Conference eliminations.

Playing with Coach Dante Silverio said was an “all-out offensive and enthusiastic game,” the Tamaraws, sparked by the dominating play of John Irving and Bruce “Sky” King, led practically all the way and had the game all sewed up after posting an unbeatable 24-point lead, 77-53, in the third quarter.

Game 48: Crispa 107, Toyota 99 (Sept. 22, 1977)

Crispa defeated Toyota for the eighth straight time during the first round of the 1977 PBA Second Conference. The Redmanizers beat the Tamaraws who played without Robert Jaworski due to an injury.

Crispa makes it 8 straight over Toyota

By Bert Eljera

Bulletin Today

Published Friday Sept. 23, 1977

Crispa outlasted archrival Toyota last night, 107-99, in a rugged, physical contest to sweep the first round eliminations of the Philippine Basketball Association second conference before some 28,000 fans at the Araneta Coliseum.

The win was Crispa’s eighth straight over Toyota and widened the Redmanizers’ edge over the Tamaraws in their continuing duel to 27-21.

Game 47: Crispa 124, Toyota 122 (July 14, 1977)

The 47th meeting of the rivalry overshadowed by the do-or-die match between Mariwasa and Tanduay for a berth in the 1977 PBA First Conference Finals. Mariwasa's victory formally ended a streak of six straight title showdowns between Crispa and Toyota.

Mariwasa nips Tanduay, 116-112

By Bert Eljera

Bulletin Today

Published Friday July 15, 1977

Mariwasa, getting a big lift when Tanduay lost all its big men on fouls in the homestretch, rallied to edge the Distillers, 116-112, in a scary finish last night to earn a ticket to the best-of-five championship series against Crispa in the PBA first conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

Trailing more than three-fourths of the way, the Honda Panthers got an unexpected windfall when Tanduay centers Jaime Taguines, David Supnet and Victor Sanchez fouled out one after the other that left big Billy Robinson in control of both boards.