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.
Commissioner Noli Eala is bringing the two teams together to mix it up in the hardcourt to serve as the appetizer for the All-Star weekend.
“The whole reason is we want to merge the past with the present. We want to show the basketball public the type of rivalry that existed between both teams. It’s been talked about a lot. Now is the time to actually see it," said commissioner Noli Eala, who fondly called the players the “lolos” of the league.
“If it weren’t for these guys, the league won’t be here,” said Eala.
And the players are raring to mix it up on the court, giving emphasis on the phrase mix it up. In fact, as they so glaringly pointed out, this is a one-game affair and no matter erupts on the court, none of them will get suspended anyway.
“Puwede maging friendly game ‘yan or puwedeng bakbakan,” said Oscar Rocha.
Orly Bauzon summed it better: “Pag kalaban ang Crispa, nabubuhay ang dugo ng Toyota. Nag-iiba ang intensity. Kung titignan mo, friendly game, pero sa court, iba ang nangyayari.”
On paper, with Crispa pooling together Co, Philip Cezar, Freddie Hubalde and Bogs Adornado, all past Most Valuable Player winners, the Redmanizers look strong enough to toy with the Super Corollas. But with no less than Senator Robert Jaworski leading the charge for Toyota, everything is thrown out the window.
“Eh noong araw, nakaka-intimidate na ‘yan kasi Big J siya, ngayon pa kayang senador na siya,” Co said.
Still Crispa players vowed nothing less than a victory.
“Tinitiyak ko ang panalo namin,” said Cezar, the league’s best defensive player in his prime.
“Magpapraktis kami every day starting tomorrow,” vowed Co.
Of course, the Toyota guys wouldn’t let that one slip away without a final retort.
“Hindi na namin kayo kailangan pagpraktisan,” said Boy Clariño.
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