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.

Tamaraws outgunned (May 20, 1978)

Bulletin Today sports editor Lito Fernandez broke down Crispa’s win over Toyota in their first meeting of the 1978 PBA season.

Tamaraws outgunned

THE NEUTRAL CORNER

By Lito Fernandez

Bulletin Today

Published Saturday May 20, 1978

The two Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) heavyweights clashed Thursday night and the team that packed the more powerful punch won.

Crispa, scoring heavily on inside hits, set up Toyota for the kill in the second quarter when the Redmanizers routed the Tamaraws, 37-21, for a commanding 62-48 halftime lead. After the Tams had closed in at 88-85 in the third period, the defending champions delivered the knockout blow in the final quarter with a 35-25 salvo.

Game 54: Crispa 123, Toyota 110 (May 18, 1978)

Crispa halted Toyota’s unbeaten start at six games after winning their first meeting in the 1978 PBA season. The match spoiled new Tamaraw Danny Florencio's debut in the rivalry.

Crispa topples Toyota, 123-110

By Bert Eljera

Bulletin Today

Published Friday May 19, 1978

Defending champion Crispa smashed favored Toyota last night, 123-110, in a rugged game before some 22,000 fans at the close of the first round of the PBA All-Filipino Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

In what Crispa coach Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan termed as their best game of the season, the Redmanizers oozed with speed and firepower to rout the previously unbeaten Tamaraws.

The victory, which tied Crispa and Toyota for the lead with identical 6-1 records, boosted the Redmanizers’ overall edge over the Tamaraws to 30-24.

Game 53: Toyota 119, Crispa 108 (Dec. 6, 1977)

Toyota defeated Crispa in their only meeting in the 1977 PBA Invitational Championship. The Tamaraws improved to 3-0 while dealing the Redmanizers their first loss in the season’s third conference.

Toyota rips Crispa by 11

By Bert Eljera

Bulletin Today

Published Wednesday Dec. 7, 1977

Toyota smashed Crispa’s defense with its searing fasrtbreak plays last night to score a 119-108 victory and grab the solo lead in the PBA Invitational Championship before some 20,000 fans at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Tams, who set the all-time record of 102 points scored on fastbreaks last Thursday, were again unstoppable as they tallied 62 points on fastbreaks alone and were seriously threatened after taking the first quarter by 11 points, 38-27.

“If we keep on playing like this, I think we have a good chance of winning the championship,” said Toyota coach Dante Silverio whose boys had failed to make it to the finals twice this season.

Game 52: Crispa 90, Toyota 87 (Nov. 19, 1977)

Crispa rallied in the second half to beat Toyota and earn a spot in the championship series of the 1977 PBA second conference against U-Tex. The loss marked the second straight time the Tamaraws failed to make the finals.

Crispa shades Toyota, 90-87

By Bert Eljera

Bulletin Today

Published Sunday Nov. 20, 1977

Crispa, down nearly three-fourths of the way, edged Toyota in their playoff last night, 90-87, to gain the right to meet U-Tex for the championship of the PBA second conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

The best-of-five series starts on Tuesday with the Redmanizers and the Wranglers clashing at 7:30 p.m.

The Tamaraws, missing the finals for the second straight time meet the 7-Up Uncolas at 5:30 p.m. in the opener of their own best-of-five series for third place.

Game 51: Toyota 104, Crispa 92 (Nov. 17, 1977)

Toyota defeated Crispa in the final day of the semifinals to force a playoff between both teams for the right to face U-Tex in the 1977 PBA second conference championship series. 

Toyota routs Crispa, gains playoff

By Bert Eljera

Bulletin Today

Published Friday Nov. 18, 1977

Toyota, playing with machine-like precision, steamrolled Crispa last night, 104-92, to arrange a playoff with the Redmanizers for the second championship slot in the Philippine Basketball Association second conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

Coming up with near-flawless outside shooting, the Tamaraws built up an imposing 25-point bubble in the first quarter and a 29-point lead in the third period and used this to cushion a fourth-quarter Crispa rally.

The two teams thus closed out the two-round semifinals with an identical 7-3 win-loss records in a tie for second place behind front-running U-Tex, which earlier bagged the first finals berth.

Game 50: Crispa 121, Toyota 116 (Nov. 3, 1977)

Crispa made crucial free throws in the final minutes to beat Toyota in the first semifinal meeting in the 1977 PBA second conference. The Redmanizers beat the Tamaraws who played without Francis Arnaiz due to an injury.

Crispa tops Toyota; U-Tex wins

By Bert Eljera

Bulletin Today

Published Friday Nov. 4, 1977

Crispa, scoring heavily on charities in the fourth quarter, turned back the foul-troubled Toyota Tamaraws, 121-116, to stay in the running in the semifinals of the Philippine Basketball Association second conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Redmanizers scored their last 25 points mostly on the foul line to break open the pendulum-like game and then withstood a desperate full-court press and double-teaming defense by the Tamaraws in the closing seconds to post the victory, their second in four games.