NBA refs officiate title series (Aug. 9, 1981)

NBA referees Lee Jones and Jim Capers were featured in an August issue of the Philippine Panorama after officiating the 1981 PBA Open Conference championship series between Toyota and Crispa.

With their 20 eyes, NBA referees could spot technical fouls that the local refs couldn’t (or wouldn’t?)

By Al S. Mendoza

Philippine Panorama

Published Sunday Aug. 9, 1981

Indeed, the scenario was a rarity, like the pearl in the proverbial deep blue sea. It was happening, this dream of ticket scalpers, this madness called the Sunday Suspense Theater: The Crispa-Toyota war.

Yes, the war was raging and a multitude was gripped no end by frenzy, suspense, panic, ecstasy. For everytime this madness occurs, the world stops turning; it had been that way ever since guys like Robert Jaworski, Atoy Co, Francis Arnaiz, Ramon Fernandez, Bogs Adornado, Philip Cezar invaded the hardcourt: to sow the seeds of cultism, hero-worship addiction to the national religion now commonly known as basketball.

Game 103: Toyota 103, Crispa 97 (July 25, 1981)

Toyota finally defeated Crispa in the deciding fifth game of a championship series to rule the 1981 PBA Open Conference.

Toyota beats Crispa, 103-97, wins PBA title

By Philip Evardone

Bulletin Today

Published Sunday July 26, 1981

Ramon Fernandez and Andrew Fields each scored three points in the dying seconds last night as Toyota finally ended a long, frustrating search for the PBA Open Conference crown with a suspenseful 103-97 win over arch-rival Crispa before a sweltering crowd of some 30,000 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Fernandez and Fields’ point shattered a 97-all tie forged by Philip Cezar with three minutes and 16 seconds left and gave the Super Diesels their seventh PBA championship.

The 6’4’’ Fernandez jumped off Cezar, 99-97, then cooly sank a free throw on a technical foul slapped on Crispa’s Fortunato Co, Jr., before Fields scored the insurance points on a three-point play off James Hardy, 1:29 remaining.

With still seconds to go, the overflow crowd started to spill into the court and threatened to disrupt the game.

Game 102: Toyota 116, Crispa 98 (July 23, 1981)

Toyota denied Crispa a chance to win the 1981 PBA Open Conference crown by sending their best-of-five series to a deciding fifth game.

Toyota rips Crispa, ties series

Bulletin Today

Published Friday July 24, 1981

Toyota, with its stars keeping away from foul trouble, rolled back Crispa, 116-98, last night to force a rubber match for the PBA Open championship at the Araneta Coliseum.

A blistering 13-1 Toyota windup engineered by Andrew Fields, Ramon Fernandez and Francis Arnaiz while Crispa lapsed into errors won the game for the Super Diesels after the Redmanizers had threatened to within six points, 103-97, four minutes left.

The victory, Toyota’s third in eight meetings with Crispa this season, squared their best-of-five championship series at two games apiece, making tomorrow’s showdown a winner-take-all affair.

Game 101: Crispa 126, Toyota 116 (July 21, 1981)

Crispa pulled away down the stretch to take a 2-1 lead over Toyota and a win away from taking home the 1981 PBA Open Conference championship.

Crispa stuns Toyota

By Philip Evardone

Bulletin Today

Published Wednesday July 22, 1981

Crispa, starring Alberto Guidaben and Byron “Snake” Jones, held Toyota to a lone field goal in the last four minutes and 20 seconds last night to score a come-from-behind 126-116 victory that moved the Redmanizers within a win of winning their ninth PBA title in seven years at the Araneta Coliseum.

Jones came off the bench with 4:06 to go to handcuff Andrew Fields and combined with Guidaben, Fortunato Co, Jr. and Bernard Fabiosa in unloading an 11-2 bomb that left Toyota in shambles.

The victory — Crispa’s fifth in seven meetings with Toyota this season — gave the Redmanizers a commanding 2-1 lead in their best-of-five championship series and the Redmanizers go for the clincher in Game 4 tomorrow.

Game 100: Crispa 126, Toyota 124 (July 18, 1981)

Crispa survived Toyota after blowing a 23-point lead to tie the 1981 PBA Open Conference championship series at 1-1.

Crispa shades Toyota

Bulletin Today

Published Sunday July 19, 1981

Alberto Guidaben fired 13 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter last night as Crispa fought back after squandering a 23-point lead to beat Toyota, 126-124, and square their best-of-five series for the PBA Open Conference championship at one game apiece.

Robert Jaworski missed a desperation three-point shot with one second left that could have won the game for the Super Diesels.

The Redmanizers, who had dropped a 123-116 decision in the series opener Thursday night, fell back by four points, 100-104, after the Super Diesels had razed that 23-point lead late in the second quarter, 70-47.

Game 99: Toyota 123, Crispa 116 (July 16, 1981)

Toyota overcame Crispa’s fourth quarter comeback to win the first game of the 1981 PBA Open Conference championship series.

Toyota tops Crispa

Takes best-of-5 opener, 123-116

By Philip Evardone

Bulletin Today

Published Friday July 17, 1981

Toyota refused to wilt under a settling Crispa rally last night and came up with a 123-116 victory in the opener of their best-of-five PBA Open Conference title playoff at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Super Diesels, reduced to rubbles on account of foul disqualifications, had to lean on the relief job of Victor King and the last-minute heroism of Danilo Florencio and Ramon Fernandez to secure the hard-earned victory.

The Redmanizers had trailed practically all the way but a searing 10-2 rally brought the game to where it started, 110-all, 2:06 left to the delight of some 10,000 fans.

No big 20 but it's Crispa on top at the wind up (Dec. 19-26, 1980)

Vic Villafranca of the Sports Weekly Magazine with his take on the Crispa's victory in the 1980 PBA All-Filipino Conference championship series also marred by Toyota management's firing of coach Fort Acuna.

No big 20 but it's Crispa on top at the wind up

ON THE LINE 

By Vic Villafranca

Sports Weekly Magazine 

Dec 19-26, 1980

Nine-thirty Thursday evening, December 11 was supposed to have been the time when the clock was to toll midnight for the Crispa Redmanizers in their mind-blowing bid to win their fourth PBA All-Filipino championship on the wings of an unprecendented 20-game sweep.

But in the night of shocks, both on the hardcourt and away from it, the Redmanizers saw their awesome winning streak snapped at 19 by the Toyota ballclub that lost its coach, Fort Acuna, at halftime only to make up for that loss with a resurgence in its old fighting heart to win, 97 to 94, and send the best of five playoffs to Game 4.

Arnold Tuadles sizzles anew (Dec. 19-26, 1980)

Arnie Tuadles reflects on his revived play in the 1980 PBA All-Filipino title series for Toyota against Crispa and the firing of coach Fort Acuna in a Sports Weekly Magazine feature.

ARNOLD TUADLES SIZZLES ANEW
(Or, the rebirth of Arnold T.)

By Pyke F. Jocson

Sports Weekly Magazine

Dec. 19-26, 1980

It's been a seesaw affair.

Yes, from that time he made a sensational debut in the PBA which paved the way for his earning the 1979 PBA Rookie of the Year up to the end of this season's All-Filipino, Arnulfo “Arnold” Tuadles’ caging has been characterized by ups and downs, but mostly ups, thank God.

Sensational was the best word to describe Tuadles last year for he was just that with a capital S. No other newcomer in the pro league could lay claim to the word other than him A graphic proof of this was his being named to the mythical five, dislodging the veteran Freddie Hubalde.

Right after the All-Filipino last year, Tuadles game slipped. Some said he’s gone swellhead. Others said he was too hot to handle. Some insiders insisted he was acting like a spoiled brat.

To these accusations, Tuadles could only exclaim in disbelief.

Fort and The Big J: End of a friendship (Dec. 19-26, 1980)

Sports Weekly Magazine took a close look at the war of words between Robert Jaworski and Fort Acuna, who was fired as Toyota coach during Game 3 of the 1980 PBA All-Filipino title series against Crispa for benching his long-time teammate.

Fort And The Big J

End of a friendship

Sports Weekly Magazine

Dec. 19-26, 1980

Their friendship daed back to their MICAA days when both were members of the Meralco ballclub.

When. the Reddy Kilowattmen were disbanded, Sonny Jaworski and Fort Acuna remained together as both were signed up by the Komatsu Komets, the first team fielded by the Delta group of companies in bigtime competition.

Column: 8th title for Redmanizers (Dec. 15, 1980)

Bulletin Today sports editor Lito Fernandez with a look back at the 1980 PBA season that ended with Crispa’s triumph in the All-Filipino Conference.

8th title for Redmanizers

NEUTRAL CORNER
By Lito P. Fernandez

Bulletin Today

Published Sunday Dec. 15, 1980

By winning the 1980 Philippine Basketball Association All-Filipino title, the Crispa Redmanizers took their eighth PBA crown, increasing their overall lead to two over the Toyota Tamaraws who have won six PBA championships.

Only three other teams, including one foreign squad, have won titles in the country’s play-for-pay loop, which started in 1975 and has held 18 conferences since.

Game 94: Crispa 105, Toyota 91 (Dec. 13, 1980)

Crispa delivered the knockout blow on Toyota to win the 1980 PBA All-Filipino Conference crown after winning their best-of-five finals series, 3-1.

Crispa beats Toyota, bags All-Filipino title

By Bert Eljera

Bulletin Today

Published Sunday Dec. 14, 1980

Crispa cast off the frustration of not completing a 20-game sweep last night and played with vengeful fury to knock out Toyota, 105-91, and to capture its fourth Philippine Basketball Association All-Filipino championship before some 25,000 fans at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Redmanizers tried to blow the Tamaraws off the court with a 24-point lead and then fought off the spectre of defeat that struck them in the third game of the best-of-five title series to win pulling away.

Silverio backs firing of Acuna (Dec. 13, 1980)

Delta Motors Corporation President Ricardo Silverio backed the firing at halftime of Fort Acuna as Toyota coach during the third game of the 1980 PBA All-Filipino Conference championship series against Crispa.

Silverio backs firing of Acuna

By Lito Fernandez

Bulletin Today

Published Sunday Dec. 14, 1980

“If I was there, I would have kicked him in the ass.”

Thus said Ricardo C. Silverio, president of the Delta Motor Corp., yesterday in support of the decision to fire Fortunato Acuna as coach of the Toyota Tamaraws.

Acuna, a former Tamaraw himself, was fired by Pablo Carlos, Jr., Toyota team manager and vice president of the same firm, during the halftime of the Toyota-Crispa game last Thursday at the Araneta Coliseum.

In a press statement last Friday, Carlos said he was forced to fire Acuna because “he ignored me three times” during the first half of the game when he (Carlos) asked Acuna why he was not using Jaworski.

Dalupan: The boys now know where they are (Dec. 12, 1980)

The pressure is off as far as coach Baby Dalupan is concerned after Crispa’s bid for a 20-game sweep of the 1980 PBA All-Filipino Conference was derailed by Toyota in Game 3.

Crispa plays revived Toyota team tonight

Bulletin Today

Published Saturday Dec. 13, 1980

Defending champion Crispa, humbled but still sharp, tries to wind up unfinished business today when it takes on suddenly alive Toyota in the fourth game of their best-of-five series for the PBA All-Filipino championship at the Araneta Coliseum.

With the burden of the 20-game sweep lifted off their like a deadweight, the Redmanizers can now play without much pressure and end it all when they collide with the Tamaraws at 7:30 p.m.

Toyota, at the cost of firing its coach before some 20,000 fans, sprang back to life by coming from behind to win the third game, 97-94, and extend the series.

Why Carlos fired Acuna (Dec. 12, 1980)

Toyota team manager Pablo Carlos, Jr. released a statement about his decision to fire Fort Acuna during halftime of Game 3.

Why Carlos fired Acuna

Bulletin Today

Published Saturday Dec. 13, 1980

Following is the statement of Pablo P. Carlos Jr., Toyota team manager.

It was with great reluctance that I had to fire Fort Acuna. However, I believe the public interest is over and above personal interests. Hundreds and thousands of people go to the stadium and watch on television to see Robert Jaworski play. Benching Jaworski is certainly cheating the public, depriving them of the opportunity to watch one of the country’s best players in action. When Acuna refused to listen to me, I was left with no choice but to do what I did.

Jaworski: We've proven our point (Dec. 12, 1980)

Robert Jaworski shared his sentiments on the firing of coach Fort Acuna during halftime of Toyota’s win over Crispa in Game 3 of the 1980 PBA All-Filipino championship series.

We’ve proven our point, says Big J

By Ding Marcelo

Bulletin Today

Published Saturday Dec. 13, 1980

“By winning over Crispa, we have proven our point.”

Thus, declared Robert Jaworski, the Toyota team captain who is in the center of the Philippine Basketball Association’s most intriguing and beguiling development since Crispa attempted and failed to complete a 20-game sweep of the All-Filipino Conference.

Jaworski was the reason that led to the firing of Toyota coach Fort Acuna which in turn was perhaps the motivating factor that fired up the Tamaraws to stop the Redmanizers’ winning streak at 19.

The 33-year-old superstar did not specifically saw that Acuna’s firing moved the team to play its best, “but we have proven our point.”

Acuna lashes at Jaworski (Dec. 12, 1980)

Fort Acuna took shots at Robert Jaworski after he was fired as Toyota coach during halftime of Game 3 of the 1980 PBA All-Filipino championship series against Crispa.

Acuna lashes at Jaworski

‘He’s immature and insecure’

By Ding Marcelo

Bulletin Today

Published Saturday Dec. 13, 1980

Fortunato Acuna, fired from his post as coach of the country’s leading ball clubs, yesterday, labelled Robert Jaworski as “immature and insecure” who could not accept the fact that he, indeed, was the coach of the Toyota Tamaraws.

Meeting the press less than 24 hours after he got his walking papers from Toyota team manager Pablo Carlos, Jr., Acuna said Jaworski sowed the seeds of demoralization in the Toyota camp and deliberately ignored game instructions to the detriment of the team.

“I believe he is immature and insecure,” Acuna said of the Toyota star who was the PBA’s Most Valuable Player in 1978 when Acuna was still playing guard for the Tamaraws.

Game 93: Toyota 97, Crispa 94 (Dec. 11, 1980)

Toyota denied Crispa an unprecedented 20-game sweep of the 1980 PBA All-Filipino Conference after coach Fort Acuna was fired at halftime of Game 3 for benching Robert Jaworski in the first half.

Toyota stops Crispa, 97 to 94

20-game sweep goes pffft; Acuna fired midway in game

By Bert Eljera

Bulletin Today

Published Friday Dec. 12, 1980

Toyota sprang back to life at the cost of firing its coach in the middle of the game last night and robbed Crispa of a monumental 20-game sweep with a stunning 97-94 victory that extended the All-Filipino championship series at the Araneta Coliseum.

The leadership crisis that plagued Toyota for some time now broke into the open when Fortunato Acuna was given his walking papers after the first half in a move that as unprecedented as the sweep Crispa was setting its eyes on, adding a new twist to this emotional-filled playoffs.

For some 20,000 fans, it was like watching a gripping, drama played on and off the court with actors acting real life roles.

Game 92: Crispa 122, Toyota 102 (Dec. 9, 1980)

Crispa moved one win from taking the 1980 PBA All-Filipino title via a 20-game sweep after pummeling a demoralized Toyota side in Game 2.

Crispa a game away from 20-game sweep

By Bert Eljera

Bulletin Today

Published Wednesday Dec. 10, 1980

Crispa was again at its deadliest last night as the Redmanizers continued their mastery of the Toyota Tamaraws with an easy 122-102 win that moved the defending PBA All-Filipino champions within a game of completing an unprecedented 20-game sweep.

The victory, Crispa’s 19th straight, gave the Redmanizers a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-five championship series. It was also Crispa’s fifth straight win over Toyota in this conference and it gave the Redmanizers a 49-43 edge in their continuing rivalry.

Robert Jaworski, dragging his injured foot, played his hearts out, but none of his teammates displayed the same fire as the Redmanizers virtually toyed with the Tamaraws.

Game 91: Crispa 108, Toyota 101 (Dec. 7, 1980)

Crispa capitalized on the absence of Francis Arnaiz to beat Toyota in the opener of their 1980 PBA All-Filipino championship series and move two wins shy of completing an unprecedented 20-game sweep.

Crispa repulses Toyota, 108-101

By Bert Eljera

Bulletin Today

Published Monday Dec. 8, 1980

Crispa moved closer to its date with basketball history with an epic 108-101 win over Toyota before the biggest crowd this season in the opener of their best-of-five series for the PBA All-Filipino championship at the Araneta Coliseum.

It was the hardest game the Redmanizers passed through in the tournament as they worked hard for every point in the face of a tenacious and well-planned Toyota defense.

Game 80: Toyota 98, Walk Tall 87 (Dec. 15, 1979)

Toyota finished off Crispa Walk Tall in four games, capping off the 1979 PBA campaign by winning the third conference championship for the third straight year.

Toyota whips Crispa, retains PBA crown

By Bert Eljera

Bulletin Today

Published Sunday Dec. 16, 1979

Toyota captured the third conference crown of the Philippine Basketball Association for the third straight year last night with a masterful 98-87 conquest of Crispa Walk Tall before some 20,000 fans at the Araneta Coliseum.

It was a classic display of speedness that the Tamaraws dished out as they never wavered in their play from both sides of the court to reassert their supremacy in the conference they won for the first time in 1977.

Toyota outclassed Walk Tall in the match-ups of imports vs. imports and locals vs. locals, although the Tamaraws had to rely on a strong finishing kick to finally turn back the rallying Jeansmakers.