Game 56: Crispa 143, Toyota 127 (June 29, 1978)

Crispa moved within a win of advancing to the championship series of the 1978 PBA All-Filipino Conference after exacting a measure of revenge on Toyota in their first semifinal meeting.

Crispa trounces Toyota quintet, 143-127

By Ding Marcelo

Bulletin Today

Published Friday June 30, 1978

Crispa’s concentrated fury boiled over Toyota last night as the Redmanizers routed the Tamaraws, 143-127, and moved within a game of clinching a finals berth in the Philippine Basketball Association All-Filipino Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

Emotions ran high in the electric encounter as Crispa center Alberto Guidaben, seeking redress over a foul committed on him earlier, deliberately hit Ramon Fernandez in the face late in the third quarter, Crispa ahead, 100-83.

Tamaraw Jess Sta. Maria threw the ball at Guidaben in retaliation and both were thrown out of the contest. The penalty carries at least a one-game suspension.

3 players suspended (June 23, 1978)

PBA Commissioner Leo Prieto suspended and fined three players while Crispa and Toyota were also handed stiff sanctions for the heated exchanges that marred their 1978 PBA All-Filipino Conference match.

3 players suspended; PBA semis on today

Bulletin Today

Published Saturday June 24, 1978

Hit by fines and suspensions slapped on some of their key players, tournament favorites Toyota and Crispa tackle separate rivals today at the start of the semifinals of the Philippine Basketball Association All-Filipino Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

That brawling game last Tuesday has exacted a dear price on both the Tamaraws and the Redmanizers.

Toyota plays surging Filmanbank at 5:30 p.m. minus backcourt-man Fortunato Acuna while Crispa is in a more difficult situation as it will face Tanduay at 7:30 p.m. without the services of Philip Cezar and Gregorio Dionisio.

Silverio on Floro's comments (June 22, 1978)

Toyota coach Dante Silverio responded to comments made by Crispa team manager Danny Floro, who deplored the Tamaraws for what he described as rough house tactics.

Film’bank ousts U-Tex, 103-96

Bulletin Today

Published Friday June 23, 1978

Big Billy Robinson provided the muscle and delivered the key baskets last night as Filmanbank eliminated U-Tex, 103-96, to bag the fourth and last seat in the semifinals of the PBA All-Filipino Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

In his usual role as the Bankers’ workhorse, the burly Robinson ruled the boards and pumped in 15 of his 32 points to spark a decisive fourth quarter splurge that buried the Wranglers for good.

Fine for 2 PBA teams (June 22, 1978)

Bulletin Today sports editor Lito Fernandez opined in his column that both Toyota and Crispa deserve at least a fine for their heated match in the 1978 PBA All-Filipino Conference eliminations.

Fine for 2 PBA teams

THE NEUTRAL CORNER
By Lito P. Fernandez

Bulletin Today

Published Thursday June 22, 1978

Crispa and Toyota should be both fined by the Philippine Basketball Association for turning their rematch Tuesday night into a virtual slugging contest. Many players got hurt, including Crispa center Alberto Guidaben who was hospitalized after he was hit in the jaw by Ramon Fernandez midway in the first quarter.

It is really hard to understand why the two teams had to resort to such dangerous fouls and body tackles when they could have easily played a hard, clean game like they did in their first game last May 18.

Two players may be suspended (June 22, 1978)

Hefty sanctions loomed after Crispa-Toyota figured in heated incidents that marred their second round match in the 1978 PBA All-Filipino Conference.

U-Tex-Fil’bank playoff tonight

2 players may be suspended

Bulletin Today

Published Thursday June 22, 1978

The looming suspension of at least two players, the possible loss of a key cager by Crispa and another harsh reprimand against referees shadow tonight’s playoff between U-Tex and Filmanbank for the fourth and last semifinal slot in the All-Filipino Conference of the Philippine Basketball Association at the Araneta Coliseum.

The tumult and controversy stem from Tuesday night’s Crispa-Toyota encounter that saw one player from each team ejected for rough play and Redmanizers center Alberto Guidaben rushed to the hospital after absorbing what spectators believed was a deliberate punch from Tamaraw Ramon Fernandez.

Sentinels Gregorio Dionisio of Crispa and Fortunato Acuna of Toyota were ejected by the referees late in the torrid match and organizers are meeting today to decide whether to fine or suspend the players or impose both penalties.

Game 55: Toyota 158, Crispa 135 (June 20, 1978)

Toyota avenged its first round loss to Crispa by winning an eventful final game of the double-round eliminations marred by incidents that nearly triggered a free-for-all.

Toyota by 23; U-Tex in playoff

By Bert Eljera

Bulletin Today

Published Wednesday June 21, 1978

Toyota, in devastating form, crushed Crispa, 158-135, last night in a rugged, physical game that was only a few shades short of being a fistic contest before a full house at the Araneta Coliseum.

Two players were ejected from the game — one for throwing a punch and the other for a vicious tackle — while Crispa slotman Alberto Guidaben went out of the game for good after sustaining what was initially diagnosed as a fractured jaw early in the first quarter.