Toyota Controversies in the PBA

Toyota, more than Crispa, was hounded with more controversies throughout their 9 seasons in the league. There is no compelling reason for such, except that probably, Toyota’s individual players were known to be more “independent-minded” while Crispa’s superstars submitted to their team owner Danny Floro. Jaworski, who eventually became larger than life in the PBA, was

Crispa - 1975-77

Some points I remember from circa 1975-1977:

1. Pete Crotty and Johnny Burks were a coffee-cream import combine of Crispa. Crotty, the caucasian one was 6'9 to the African-American Burks who was 6'6. While Burks was relatively athletic, Crotty was a gangling center that couldn't seem to get his Toyota counterpart Byron Snake Jones from his sweet spot. Crispa was also in a disadvantage since Burks was relatively shorter than his opponents (Stan Cherry was 6'8, Carl Bird was 6'8, Jones was 6'9). Good thing the Redmanizers were able to stop the

LA TENORIO’s seven-point outburst brings back memories of REGGIE MILLER

        It was spring of 1995 when Reggie Miller became one of the most reviled players among New York basketball fans. It was Game 1 of the 1995 Eastern Conference Semifinals between Miller’s Indiana Pacers team against the New York Knicks. The Knicks had homecourt advantage and Game 1 saw them hosting the Pacers at the historic Madison Square Garden.

            Time down to 18.7 seconds and the Pacers down by 6, 89-95, Miller single-handedly carried the Pacers to victory with back-to-back three pointers that stunned the Knicks fans. He first made a three point shot from an inbounds pass from Mark Jackson, stole the inbounds pass from burly Anthony Mason and uncorked another trey to tie the game. And with NY guard John Starks getting fouled, fans were still hopeful of winning the game. Alas, Starks missed both FT. Starks’ teammate Patrick Ewing grabbed the offensive board but missed a hurried shot. Miller got the rebound and was fouled with 7.5 seconds remaining. He calmly made both FT’s and the Pacers made one last defensive stop to steal Game 1, 107-105.

            A couple of nights ago, déjà vu occurred but this time, it happened at the Quezon Convention Center in Lucena City in a PBA regular game. Mark Caguioa just scored a jumper to give Ginebra a safe three point lead 72-69 with less than 20 seconds left. Alaska called for

Toyota's Best Years

Toyota's best years in its 9-year stint in the league were in 1978 and 1982.  What were the common scenarios that prevailed in both years that made the franchise difficult to stop during these two years? Here's a couple of samplings:

1. MVP - 1978 was Robert Jaworski's best year ever in the league, averaging close to triple double figures in points, rebounds and assists. He missed the double figure average in rebounds by a hair,