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.

However, Arnaiz who only recently started working for the state government of California, said his application for leave had been denied since a reshuffle was going on in the state government and he had to be at his post.

Arnaiz said he was disappointed at not being able to play since he had been looking forward to visiting Manila and playing alongside Jaworski and against the likes of Atoy Co, Freddie Hubalde and Bernie Fabiosa of Crispa.

Despite the absence of Arnaiz, the team-up of Jaworski, “The Living Legend” and “El Presidente” Ramon Fernandez has stirred up enough excitement as it is, as fans eagerly await the chance to see the superstars of yesteryears in action against their famed Crispa rivals anchored by Co, Abet Guidaben, Philip Cezar, Hubalde and Fabiosa.