Heart, guts in game of the year (June 2, 2003)

Recah Trinidad wrote his reflections on Toyota’s victory over Crispa in the 2003 Reunion Game on his regular column for the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Heart, guts in game of the year

BARE EYE
By Recah Trinidad

Philippine Daily Inquirer

Published Monday, June 2, 2003

THEY played the PBA game of the year way, way ahead of schedule.

Nobody had expected it.

In fact, the Crispa-Toyota reunion match was originally conceived as an appetizer, a so-so rematch to raise the curtains for the All-Star weekend.

Whoever altered the Friday night script at the Big Dome, and turned the appetizer into the main event, must be having the biggest laugh of his life.

Reunion: Redmanizers call for ‘return bout’ (June 1, 2003)

The Crispa Redmanizers were quick to challenge the Toyota Tamaraws to a rematch after ending up on the losing end of their Reunion Game in 2003.

Redmanizers call for ‘return bout’

By Tito S. Talao

Manila Bulletin

Published Sunday June 1, 2003

Like “Harry Potter” and “Star Wars” and the Ali-Frazier trilogy, the Crispa-Toyota saga is dying for a new lease in life.

Just when everybody thought the glowing embers were dead, with Robert Jaworski’s picture-perfect three-point shot — his only field goal attempt for the evening — providing the exclamation point to the Philippine Basketball Association’s most bitter rivalry, Terry Saldana, the Reunion Game’s MVP, stepped in and stoked the flicker into a flame.

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.

Guam: Toyota 109, Crispa 101 (March 4, 1984)

Toyota won the first of their two-game farewell series against Crispa in Guam behind Abe King and Robert Jaworski. The Super Corollas played their sendoff tour without star center Ramon Fernandez.

Toyota bombs Crispa

‘The boys were determined’

By Bert Eljera

Tempo

Published Tuesday March 6, 1984

GUAM, March 5 (via Philcom) — Toyota, trying to leave behind the legacy of a true champion, played with its old fire Sunday to humble Crispa, 109-101 in a game filled with the color of their past encounters before a highly-enthusiastic crowd here.

It was close all the way and the match was decided in the last four minutes — as in most of their past encounters — with the Corollas finishing strong and the Redmanizers turning ice-cold.

Abe King, sizzling from afar, fired a game-high 32 points. Arnulfo Tuadles had 23 and nine rebounds, six of them offensive, but it was Robert Jaworski, playing with a sense of mission, who personally assured the victory.

Manotoc: It's still a long way to go (Aug. 31, 1983)

Crispa coach Tommy Manotoc lamented on losing to Toyota in the start of its Grand Slam in the 1983 PBA Open Conference.

It’s still a long way to go — Manotoc

By Clyde Mariano

Tempo

Published Wednesday Aug. 31, 1983

If there is anything that Crispa cannot live down to, it will be the humiliation it absorbed from arch rival Toyota last night at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Redmanizers failed to exploit the absence of three key Toyota players and took a shocking 102-93 defeat in the PBA Open Conference.

But Crispa coach Tommy Manotoc said it’s still a long way to go.

Game 122: Toyota 102, Crispa 93 (Aug. 30, 1983)

Returning import Andy Fields carried shorthanded Toyota to a win over Grand Slam-seeking Crispa in the first game of both teams in the 1983 PBA Open Conference eliminations.

Toyota downs Crispa

By Willie Caballes

Bulletin Today

Published Wednesday Aug. 31, 1983

Defending champion Toyota, playing minus three key men, opened its title-retention drive last night with a 102-93 victory over archrival Crispa in the PBA Open Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

Veteran Andrew Fields provided the spark for the Silver Coronas as he celebrated his fourth year in the Open with a team-high 31 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots.

Game 118: Toyota 86, Crispa 84 (March 6, 1983)

Toyota spoiled the debut of Tommy Manotoc as Crispa coach by winning the opener of the 1983 PBA season behind Abe King and Nick Bulaong.

Toyota conquers Crispa; Galerie drops Manhattan

By Raffy Japa

Tempo

Published Monday March 7, 1983

Toyota, with the prodigious Abe King controlling both boards and surprise card Nick Bulaong providing the clutch hits, spoiled Tommy Manotoc’s debut as Crispa coach by outsteadying the Redmanizers, 86-84, last night at the Araneta Coliseum.

The heart-stopping match capped a night of thrilling basketball that ushered in the 1983 season of the Philippine Basketball Association.

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 115: Toyota 130, Crispa 114 (Sept. 4, 1982)

Toyota beat Crispa in their first elimination round meeting in the 1982 PBA Open Conference despite the absence of import Andy Fields, Robert Jaworski and Abe King.

Toyota crushes Crispa, 130-114

By Rey Bancod

Tempo

Published Sunday Sept. 5, 1982

Undermanned Toyota, playing one of its finest games in a long, long time, last night spoiled the debut of Crispa’s new imports with a crunching 130-114 conquest of the Redmanizers in the PBA Open tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Super Corollas played without ace import Andy Fields, who came down with the flu. That, plus the fact that playmaker Robert Jaworski and rebound king Abe King remained in the inactive list, made Toyota’s victory a shocker.

Game 113: Toyota 111, Crispa 104 (June 24, 1982)

Donnie Ray Koonce and Pol Herrera starred in Toyota’s Game 5 win over Crispa that earned them the right to face San Miguel Beer in the 1982 PBA Reinforced All-Filipino championship series.

Toyota tops Crispa, 111-104

By Willie Caballes

Bulletin Today

Published Friday June 25, 1982

Donnie Koonce knocked in 39 points and reserve Pol Herrera scored the go-ahead basket in a decisive 12-5 burst in the last four minutes last night to spark Toyota to a 111-104 victory over arch rival Crispa in their knockout match to decide San Miguel’s opponent in the PBA Reinforced All-Filipino Conference championship series.

After Herrera, who came in after Arnulfo Tuadles fouled out, shattered a 99-all tie with a drive, the red-hot Koonce erupted for six straight points to give Toyota a commanding eight-point lead, 107-99.

The Redmanizers threatened at 107-104 when Fortunato Co, Jr. hit a three-point shot and drove in but Ramon Fernandez scored on a jumpshot and then Koonce capped his brilliant offensive display with a pair of charities to quench the rally.

Game 112: Toyota 125, Crispa 114 (June 22, 1982)

Ramon Fernandez, Donnie Ray Koonce and Arnie Tuadles led the attack as Toyota forced a deciding fifth game against Crispa in their 1982 PBA Reinforced All-Filipino semifinal series.

Toyota by 11; SMB in finals

By Willie Caballes

Bulletin Today

Published Wednesday June 23, 1982

Toyota, starring the trio of Ramon Fernandez, Donnie Koonce and Arnulfo Tuadles, struck down defending champion Crispa last night, 125-114, to send their best-of-five semifinal series into a rubber match while San Miguel Beer clobbered U/Tex, 118-99, to enter the finals of the PBA Reinforced All-Filipino Conference.

Fernandez fired a game-high 38 points, pulled down 12 rebounds and dealt eight assists as the Super Corollas tied the series at two games apiece.

Koonce unloaded 32 points while Tuadles contributed 20 aside from handcuffing Crispa import Glenn Hagan, who scored only 13 points.

Game 110: Toyota 122, Crispa 114 (June 17, 1982)

Sparked by import Donnie Ray Koonce’s 41 points and Mon Fernandez’s return, Toyota evened their best-of-five semifinal series in the 1982 PBA Reinforced All-Filipino with Crispa at 1-1.

Super Corollas, Wranglers win

Bulletin Today

Published Friday June 18, 1982

Toyota, inspired no end by the return of Ramon Fernandez, outgunned defending champion Crispa, 122-114, and U/Tex battled from 18 points down to beat San Miguel Beer in a protested game last night, 97-95, to square the two PBA Reinforced All-Filipino Conference semifinal series at one game apiece.

Game 3 of each series will be played tomorrow.

Fernandez, back after a bout with fever, combined with import Donnie Koonce in leading the Super Corollas’ offense while Abe King manned the boards, pulling down 18 rebounds. Koonce scored a game-high 41 points while Fernandez tallied 23.

Game 107: Toyota 129, Crispa 128 (May 1, 1982)

Toyota survived Crispa behind Ramon Fernandez’s 32 points as Bai Cristobal missed a game-tying shot in the final seconds.

Toyota shades Crispa, 129-128

Bulletin Today

Published Sunday May 2, 1982

Arturo Cristobal missed a side jumpshot with two seconds left last night and Toyota came through with its second straight victory over arch-rival Crispa this season, 129-128, in the PBA Reinforced All-Filipino Conference thriller at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Super Corollas found the breather through a pair of charities by Ramon Fernandez off Glenn Hagan’s sixth foul in the last 49 seconds, 129-125, only to find themselves almost in the losing end as Crispa battled back.

Game 106: Toyota 111, Crispa 110 (March 7, 1982)

Terry Saldana made an immediate impact in his debut as Toyota edged Crispa to open the season-opening 1982 PBA Reinforced All-Filipino Conference.

Toyota nips Crispa five

By Bert Eljera

Bulletin Today

Published Monday March 8, 1982

Rookie Terry Saldana, whose eligibility to play is under question, came through with a pair of clutch baskets in the closing seconds last night as Toyota survived a blistering Crispa rally to pull out a 111-110 victory before some 30,000 fans at the Araneta Coliseum.

It was a smashing opener of the PBA Reinforced All-Filipino Conference ushered in by elaborate ceremonies that blended entertainment with sports.

Game 104: Toyota 114, Crispa 106 (Sept. 22, 1981)

An altercation between Crispa coach Baby Dalupan and his player Abet Guidaben marred the first encounter with Toyota in the 1981 PBA Reinforced All-Filipino Conference.

Toyota stops Crispa five

By Bert Eljera

Bulletin Today

Published Wednesday Sept. 23, 1981

Toyota exploited Crispa’s breakdown in team discipline in the second half last night and walked off with a 114-106 victory to grab the lead in the PBA Reinforced All-Filipino Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

With some 20,000 fans watching, the Redmanizers lost their appetite to play after an altercation between coach Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan and Alberto Guidaben late in the third quarter and they fell easy preys to the fired-up Super Diesels.

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 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.

Game 98: Toyota 135, Crispa 124 (July 14, 1981)

Toyota defeated Crispa for the first time after four tries in the 1981 PBA Open Conference in a semifinal match that served as a preview of their best-of-five championship series.

Toyota trims Crispa; Wranglers edge SMB

Bulletin Today

Published Wednesday July 15, 1981

With nothing but prestige at stake, the Toyota Super Diesels outgunned the Crispa Redmanizers last night, 135-124, in a high-scoring tuneup for their PBA Open championship series starting tomorrow at the Araneta Coliseum.

Eight Super Diesels scored in double figures as Toyota scored its first victory in four meetings with Crispa this season and topped the semifinal round with a 5-1 card.

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.