Don’t blame refs - Prieto (Oct. 10, 1982)

PBA Commissioner Leo Prieto defended the league’s pool of referees after being criticized for its handling of the second Toyota-Crispa match in the 1982 PBA Open Conference.

Don’t blame refs — Prieto

‘Discipline starts with teams’

Tempo

Published Sunday Oct. 10, 1982

The eight Philippine Basketball Association teams will have to police their ranks to prevent hardcourt fights and other incidents which are blamed on the referees most of the time.

PBA Commissioner Leo Prieto said it is the duty of club officials, particularly the team managers and coaches, to instill discipline among their players.

Life ban poised on three cagers (Oct. 7, 1982)

Bernie Fabiosa, Francis Arnaiz and Abe King were handed hefty punishments and for their role in a brawl that marred the second Crispa-Toyota meeting in the 1982 PBA Open Conference.

Life ban poised on three cagers

Tempo

Published Friday Oct. 8, 1982

Three players from Toyota and Crispa were meted stiff penalties as the Philippine Basketball Association cracked the whip on the hotheads following last Saturday’s violent incident at the Araneta Coliseum.

Aside from the suspensions and fines slapped on them, PBA Commissioner Leo Prieto issued an ultimatum to Abe King and Francis Arnaiz of Toyota and Bernard Fabiosa of Crispa.

The three were to behave or face a lifetime ban.

Probe of PBA referees sought (Oct. 4, 1982)

Crispa team owner Danny Floro called on PBA Commissioner Leo Prieto to probe the league’s officiating crew following his team’s overtime loss to Toyota in their second 1982 Open Conference elimination round duel.

Probe of PBA referees sought

By Rey Bancod

Tempo

Published Tuesday Oct. 5, 1982

Crispa basketball team manager Danny Floro has asked for an investigation of Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) referees in the wake of the deteriorating officiating in the league.

In a stinging three-page letter to PBA Commissioner Leo Prieto last Sunday, Floro said that “censures, suspensions, and reprimands can do little to improve officiating.”

He asked Prieto to study the activities of the referees even outside the playing court.

What did Fabiosa whisper? (Oct. 4, 1982)

A fan described in detail the fight involving Crispa’s Bernie Fabiosa and Rudy Distrito and Toyota’s Francis Arnaiz and Abe King that marred their second elimination round match in the 1982 PBA Open Conference.

What did Fabiosa whisper?

Tempo

Published Monday Oct. 4, 1982

With 1:32 left of regulation period, all hell broke loose in the Crispa-Toyota game Saturday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Four players — Francis Arnaiz and Abe King of Toyota, Bernard Fabiosa and Rudy Distrito of Crispa — were subsequently thrown out by the referees after the hardcourt scuffle.

What really happened? An eyewitness, Corazon Navarro-Reyes, who was seated at ringside near where the incident took place, related her story to Tempo.

Game 116: Toyota 129, Crispa 119 (Oct. 2, 1982)

Toyota topped Crispa in overtime but not after four players from both teams were ejected during the fourth quarter of their second elimination round meeting in the 1982 PBA Open Conference.

Toyota outplays Crispa

Fight mars game; 4 players thrown out

By Bert Eljera

Bulletin Today

Published Sunday Oct. 3, 1982

With the referees losing control, the intense Crispa-Toyota rivalry, relatively quiet for the last five years, exploded anew last night with a player fight at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Super Corollas, banking on clutch hits by Arnulfo Tuadles and Andrew Fields, outplayed the Redmanizers in overtime, 129-119, before a wildly cheering crowd of some 18,000 fans.

But the result of the explosive contest was hardly the story.

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.

Game 49: Toyota 132, Crispa 120 (Oct. 25, 1977)

Toyota ended eight straight defeats against Crispa by winning the final game of the 1977 PBA Second Conference eliminations that saw the absence of Francis Arnaiz and Bernie Fabiosa and the ejection of Atoy Co.

Toyota dumps Crispa; 7-Up wins

Bulletin Today

Published Wednesday Oct. 26, 1977

Toyota overpowered a crippled Crispa team last night, 132-120, in a no-bearing but prestige-laden game before a banner crowd at the Araneta Coliseum in the windup of the PBA Second Conference eliminations.

Playing with Coach Dante Silverio said was an “all-out offensive and enthusiastic game,” the Tamaraws, sparked by the dominating play of John Irving and Bruce “Sky” King, led practically all the way and had the game all sewed up after posting an unbeatable 24-point lead, 77-53, in the third quarter.

Too early to count chickens (April 28-May 6, 1977)

Vic Villafranca offered his insights on the Crispa-Toyota brawl in an article published by Sports Weekly Magazine a week after the incident.

A RUMBLE AND TUMBLE LEAGUE: TOO EARLY TO COUNT CHICKENS

THE LINE

By Vic Villafranca

Sports Weekly Magazine

Published April 28-May 6, 1977

For displaying conduct unbecoming professional basketball players and adults presumed to know the difference between right and wrong and an act of violence from a love tryst in the park, the nation's two celebrated ballclubs – Crispa and Toyota – got hit last week by a full cycle of punishments that from here on should make the more volatile members of both teams think twice before raising their hands. Even if it's only to go to the little boys' room.

It all began, a no doubt you might have heard from your favorite boxing promoter, when obviously, as a result of what transpired between them on the hardcourt in the closing minutes of their tense ballgame, the players of both teams went almost for each other's jugulars on their way to their respective dugouts.

What ensued was a full blown rumble, you know, the sort of thing one only sees in bar rooms and cowboy flies, in Hell's Kitchen and OK corals, in dead end streets and dark alleys and in those Friday night smokers that were once the bread and butter of Merting Besa's promotions at the Besa Arena.

Crispa, Toyota fined P5,000 (April 21, 1977)

PBA Commissioner Leo Prieto fined Crispa and Toyota P5,000 each for their post-game rumble in the opener of the 1977 PBA season, an incident that prompted Metrocom officials to arrest players from both teams.

Crispa, Toyota fined P5,000

By Al Mendoza

Bulletin Today

Published Friday April 22, 1977

Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner Leo Prieto fined Toyota and Crispa P5,000 each yesterday for their players' involvement in last Sunday's post-game rumble at the Araneta Coliseum.

PBA legal counsel Rodrigo Salud said the fines are appealable within 72 hours.

Toyota coach Dante Silverio was slapped a fine of P1,000 after he was found guilty of cussing a referee following a technical foul he got from referee Estefanio Bernos in the dying seconds of the Toyota-Crispa match Sunday.

Arnaiz arrested after detention (April 19, 1977)

Players of Crispa and Toyota were released after spending a night in detention, but Francis Arnaiz was arrested after a separate incident involving him and Rudy Hines in a Toyota-U-Tex game at the Araneta Coliseum.

Another PBA row: Toyota cager arrested

By Al Mendoza

Bulletin Today

Published Wednesday April 20, 1977

Toyota beat Universal Textiles, 121-115, in the PBA first conference at the Araneta Coliseum. But the real story happened after the game.

Toyota's Francis Arnaiz, fresh from a one-night stint as a detainee at the PC stockade in Fort Bonifacio, was picked up after the game on orders of Brig. Gen. Prospero Olivas, Metrocom commander, for figuring in a commotion with Wrangler Rudolf Hines during the match.

Arnaiz, who keyed Toyota's first win in two games by scoring four of the last eight points of Toyota, including the go-ahead charities with a minute to go, was booked anew for violating conditions for his temporary release.

Crispa, Toyota players detained (April 18, 1977)

Players of Crispa and Toyota were detained by the Metrocom for their involvement in a postgame brawl that marred the start of the 1977 PBA season at the Araneta Coliseum.

All Crispa, Toyota cagers are detained

By Al Mendoza

Bulletin Today

Tuesday, April 19, 1977

The Metrocom placed under indefinite detention yesterday 21 Crispa and Toyota players who figured in a post-game riot at the Araneta Coliseum Sunday that left scores injured.

Arrested and now detained at Fort Bonifacio are:

Francis Arnaiz, Robert Jaworski, Ramon Fernandez, Virgilio Cortez, Jesus Sta. Maria, Oscar Rocha, Aurelio Clarino, Rodolfo Segura, all from Toyota.

Philip Cezar, Alberto Guidaben, Rey Franco, Gregorio Dionisio, Cristino Calilan, Rey Pages, David Cezar, Armando Torres, Rodolfo Soriano, Fortunato Co, Jr., Tito Varela, Bernard Fabiosa, Alfredo Hubalde, all from Crispa.

Still being sought at presstime were Orlando Bauzon and Fortunato Acuna, also from Toyota. Metrocom authorities said they expected the two to give themselves up shortly.

Game 44: Crispa 122, Toyota 121 (April 17, 1977)

A postgame rumble between Crispa and Toyota marred the opener of the 1977 season in what is considered as one of the most memorable moments in PBA history. The Redmanizers won after a last-second technical foul by Tamaraws coach Dante Silverio.

Crispa-Toyota match marred by free-for-all

By Al Mendoza

Bulletin Today

Published Monday April 18, 1977

The circus of basketball hullabaloos that is the Philippine Basketball Association started last night with a real, crushing, big bang at the Araneta Coliseum.

Crispa snatched a last-minute 122-121 victory over Toyota, courtesy of Tamaraw coach Dante Silverio, whose being slapped a technical foul with three seconds left allowed Fortunato Co to sink the pressure-packed marginal shot in his dramatic march to the charity lane.

But the real meat of last night's story was the bloody riot that ensued after the game, undoubtedly a man-size blackeye for the ever-glorified PBA shebang.

Game 32: Crispa 113, Toyota 94 (Oct. 31, 1976)

Crispa's second straight lopsided win over Toyota was marred by an alleged punching incident between Robert Jaworski and Bernie Fabiosa late in their 1976 PBA Second Conference semifinals game.

Crispa routs Toyota anew

Score: 113-94; U-Tex crushes Royal

By Ding Marcelo

Bulletin Today

Published Monday Nov. 1, 1976

Crispa's fired-up Denims tore through Toyota's defense with impunity last night and scored a repeat one-sided 113-94 victory over the Comets to bounce back into contention in the semifinals of the PBA second conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Denims' sparkling conquest of the Comets, who played without coach Dante Silverio, came after U-Tex's 134-118 rout of Royal Tru-Orange that gave the Wranglers the undisputed lead in the double robin series with two straight wins.

The Denims, who went into the court toting a 106-101 loss to U-Tex in the semifinal round opener, played with the magnificence of a champion team as they tried to maintain their composure in the face of Toyota's harassing tactics in the closing minutes.

Cezar banned three games (July 2, 1976)

Philip Cezar was suspended for the first three games of the best-of-five series for the 1976 PBA All-Filipino title for punching Ramon Fernandez in the Crispa-Toyota semifinal game.

Cezar gets 3-game ban, P500-fine

Bulletin Today
Published Saturday July 3, 1976

Crispa ace center Philip Cezar was suspended for three playing days and fined P500 yesterday as the Philippine Basketball Association, acting in consultation with the Games and Amusements Board, acted swiftly on the punching incident involving Cezar and Comet Ramon Fernandez during the other night’s Crispa-Toyota game.

The PBA, through commissioner Leo Prieto, meted out the punishment after watching the video tape of the game and hearing the sides of the two players who confronted each other at the commissioner’s office.

Also present were representatives from the GAB.

The suspension means Cezar will not be able to play for his team in the first three games of the best-of-five series for the All-Filipino PBA championship which begins tomorrow.

Game 25: Toyota 103, Crispa 101 (July 1, 1976)

Philip Cezar’s ejection for punching Ramon Fernandez marred Toyota’s win over Crispa in the final semifinal round game before their best-of-five showdown for the championship of the 1976 PBA All-Filipino Conference.

Toyota five nips Crispa, 103-101

By Ding Marcelo
Bulletin Today
Published Friday July 2, 1976

Toyota pulled Crispa down to earth last night, winning 103-101, but more importantly, the Comets may have gotten ahead of the favored Redmanizers in the betting odds after Crispa’s premier center Philip Cezar was ejected for throwing a punch at Ramon Fernandez.

Cezar, who drew a four-month suspension also for hitting Fernandez during the All-Philippine Championship, faces a possible three-game suspension and a fine of not less than P500 should he be proven guilty.

Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner Leo Prieto will review the video tape of the incident this afternoon and then possibly call the persons involved to a confrontation before he metes out punishment.