Game 62: Toyota 109, Crispa 104 (Dec. 5, 1978)

Toyota completed a sweep of the 1978 PBA third conference eliminations by beating Crispa, but much of the attention was on Tanduay’s win over U-Tex that put the Esquires in the championship series against the Tamaraws.

Tanduay tops U-Tex five

By Ding Marcelo

Bulletin Today

Published Wednesday Dec. 6, 1978

Tanduay ended a four-year quest for a championship berth last night by ramming down U-Tex, 98-92, to arrange a best-of-five showdown with Toyota for the PBA third conference title starting tomorrow.

The title-hungry Esquires leaned on the sprightly legs and steady fire of 34-year-old Freddie Webb to score the victory and assure Tanduay its loftiest finish in the league.

The Tamaraws completed a sweep of the elimination round with a 109-104 win over the slumping Crispa Redmanizers, who finished fourth in the elims with a 1-3 card.

Game 61: Toyota 130, Crispa 119 (Nov. 2, 1978)

Toyota frustrated Crispa behind a third quarter surge to create a tie for second behind Crispa with two playdates left in the 1978 PBA second conference semifinals.

U-Tex nips Tanduay; Toyota drubs Crispa

By Bert Eljera

Bulletin Today

Published Friday Nov. 3, 1978

Glenn McDonald shot 52 points — a new scoring record in the semifinal round in another stirring performance last night to spark U-Tex to an uphill 100-98 victory over Tanduay that earned for the Wranglers a tie for a slot in the finals of the PBA second conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

The victory — the Wranglers’ fourth straight — preceded Toyota’s vengeful 130-119 thumping of Crispa which put the Tamaraws back in serious contention for a berth in the two-team finals.

Toyota’s win placed the Tamaraws and the 400s dead even in second place with identical 2-2 cards, with a three-way tie for first place among U-Tex, Crispa and Toyota now a possibility.

Game 60: Crispa 136, Toyota 123 (Oct. 22, 1978)

Crispa recovered from being down in the first quarter to beat Toyota at the start of the 1978 PBA second conference semifinals. The win also the 400s’ third against the Tamaraws in as many games in the tournament.

Crispa five downs Toyota

By Bert Eljera

Bulletin Today

Published Monday Oct. 23, 1978

Defending champion Crispa, taking advantage of the absence of Toyota import Carlos Terry, overcame an early 13-point deficit to turn back the Tamaraws, 136-123, in the opening games of the PBA second conference semfinals at the Araneta Coliseum.

Terry sprained his ankle three days ago and watched the action from the bench with his right foot in plaster cast.

With him out, the Tams were routed at center where Crispa imports Ansley Truitt and Paul Mills proved too much for Bruce “Sky” King.