Jaworski, Fabiosa banned 3 games (Nov. 2, 1976)

Robert Jaworski and Bernie Fabiosa were suspended three games each for their punching incident in their 1976 PBA Second Conference semifinal match.

Toyota edges U-Tex

Crispa routs Royal for triple tie; Jaworski, Fabiosa banned 3 games

By Ding Marcelo

Bulletin Today

Published Wednesday November 3, 1976

Toyota survived immense pressure of a scorching U-Tex rally to prevail, 96-93, in a classic duel that dwarfed Crispa's easy 128-100 win over Royal Tru-Orange in the semifinal round of the PBA second conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

Crispa and Toyota's victories threw the race for the two final slots wide open among the Denims, the Comets and the Wranglers. The three teams now have an identical 2-1 record with Royal Tru-Orange bringing up the rear with three straight losses.

The Comets broke a tight, pulsating game in the last quarter to led 84-76 from a 70-74 deficit and was leading 94-86 going into the last two minutes and 30 seconds when U-Tex uncorked a blistering rally.

Baskets by Rudolf Kutch, Romeo Frank and Danilo Basilan brought the Wranglers back into the game, 94-93, 70 seconds left.

Charities by Byron “Snake” Jones off Dan Knight and a sorry miss each by Knight and Basilan in the remaining seconds wrapped up the game for the Comets, their second over U-Tex in three meetings.

Comets star guard Robert Jaworski was badly missed by coach Dante Silverio, who himself missed the last Crispa-Toyota encounter. Jaworski began serving a three-game suspension meted by the PBA technical committee.

Also suspended was Crispa's Bernard Fabiosa as the committee found both players equally guilty in a punching that marred their team's encounter last Sunday.

“I think the technical committee is very inconsistent when meting out suspensions,” Silverio said. “I have a feeling that the committee is seeking out my players.”

Team manager Danny Floro of Crispa had the same lament and asked how come Kutch drew only a one-game suspension.

Aside from the three-game ban, Jaworski and Fabiosa were also fined P500 each.