Reunion: Toyota 65, Crispa 61 (May 30, 2003)

Robert Jaworski’s three off a pass by Ramon Fernandez in the final seconds sealed Toyota’s victory over Crispa in a classic 2003 Reunion Game between the two bitter rivals at the Araneta Coliseum.

‘A joyride back in time’

By Tito Talao

Manila Bulletin

Published Saturday May 31, 2003

FOR PERHAPS the last time in a decade-long rivalry that spanned ages, bridged generations, broke barriers and shattered records, the two greatest basketball forces in the land — the Crispa Redmanizers and the Toyota Super Corollas, clashed for posterity, finally bringing down the curtains before thousands of adoring Philippine Basketball Association fans at the Araneta Coliseum.

And 14 years after it was first extended, Ramon Fernandez returned the favor to Robert Jaworski.

Back in the unforgettable 1989 All-Star game, Jaworski hit Fernandez with a perfect pass under the basket and Fernandez glided under and scored an impossible reverse layup at the buzzer as the Veterans came from behind to defeat the Rookies/Sophomores team, 132-130.

This time, the feeder became the executioner.

After William “Bogs” Adornado nailed a step-back three-pointer to cut a Toyota lead to 62-61 with 20 seconds remaining, Fernandez found Jaworski open from top of the keyhole and Jaworski drained the 3-point shot that brought the Big Dome down.

“Yeah, that was sort of repaying a favor,” said Fernandez.

The final score — 65-61 — didn’t tell half of the story.

Neither the play-by-play sequence which, after 20 years of blistering, fast-paced action, was now almost devoid of the blinding speed and heart-stopping magnificence of the individual play of yore.

But little was lost of the ferocity with which the Redmanizers and the Super Corollas used to wage battle.

And certainly only a fraction of animosity has been erased by the vestiges of time.

The halftime ended with Toyota, surprisingly, ahead, 34-25, with its biggest name, Robert Jaworski, not yet seeking action.

Coach Dante Silverio substituted in platoons, starting with Ramon Fernandez, Chito Loyzaga, Ompong Seguara and Ed Camus for the Corollas.

Crispa coach Baby Dalupan, who arrived from the States and drove straight from the airport to the Big Dome, had for starting lineup a virtual All-Star five in Fortunato Co, Philip Cezar, Bogs Adornado, Bernard Fabiosa and Abet Guidaben, all members of the PBA’s 25 Greatest Players.

The first quarter was close, 16-14, before the Corollas, behind the rebounding of Terry Saldana, the orchestration of Rolly Marcelo and the offense of Chito Loyzaga, pulled ahead in the second quarter.

Old and familiar faces resurfaced for the Reunion Game.

Dick Ildefonso and Emy Arcilla reprised their roles as TV’s play-by-play and color commentators, while NBN-4 regular Sev Sarmenta happily accepted the job as the game’s p.a. man.

Founding commissioner Leo Prieto tossed the first ceremonial ball, followed by board chairman Jun Cabalan and current commissioner Noli Eala, members of the family of the late Danny Floro accepting a plaque of recognition in behalf of the late Crispa owner.

The action turned furious in the fourth quarter after Co nailed back-to-back jumpers to key a Crispa comeback that erased a nine-point deficit, setting up the classic down-the-wire finish.

A crucial turnover by Bernard Fabiosa sealed the Redmanizers’ doom, with Oscar Rocha, who figured in scuffles with practically every Crispa player, hitting two crucial free throws in the closing seconds.

Saldana was adjudged as the game’s MVP, while the fans went home close to midnight fully rewarded by the cage heroes of yesterday.

Jaworski accepted the trophy and luxuriated once more in the middle of the pro basketball’s hottest and most glaring spotlight.

“It was a great game. I wasn’t thinking of anything with that shot, I knew I just had to make it,” Jaworski said.

TOYOTA 65 — Saldana 15, Loyzaga 14, Rocha 6, Herrera 6, Camus 4, Marcelo 4, Fernandez 4, Cordero 4, Cortez 3, Jaworski 3, Segura 2, Rodriguez 0, Bauzon 0, Reynoso 0, Clarino 0, Legaspi 0.

CRISPA 61 — Guidaben 17, Co 8, Adornado 7, Cezar 7, Cristobal 5, Mamaril 5, Dela Cruz 4, Hubalde 4, Esguerra 2, Pages 2, Dionisio 0, Brodett 0, Varela 0, Franco 0, Tanduyan 0, Fabiosa 0, Cruz 0.

Quarters: 16-14, 34-25, 47-42, 65-61.