Crispa Controversies

1. The reported power struggle between Co and Cezar in one side and Guidaben and Hubalde in the other. We all know that Co and Cezar were best buddies while Guidaben and Hubalde bonded well together, especially when they both became born-again Christians. Initially, the prime leaders of the team were #6 and #18 until #5 and #10 slowly took the leadership mantle in the latter years. Guidaben particularly was very vocal of his displeasure regarding the off-court "transactions" between

EMERITO LEGASPI – from amateur superstar to PBA role player

EMERITO LEGASPI Player Profile

Birthdate: May 02, 1954

Height: 5’11

Weight: 160 lbs

Position: Forward

          When Emerito Legaspi graduated from high school at the Gregorio Araneta University Foundation (GAUF) in Malabon, the future was extremely bright. He just finished valedictorian from high school after being salutatorian in elementary, was the star basketball player of his school, and was just granted a full scholarship by the University of the East not because of his

Jaworski Files 2

1. In the late 60's, Robert Jaworski was a superstar player with the UE Red Warriors and Coach Baby Dalupan's most coveted treasure in his lineup. After ending his stint with the Warriors, Jaworski was able to play for the Crispa Redmanizers in the MICAA for a few months before joining the arch rival Meralco Reddywatts. This is where Jaworski found his trek to superstardom paved and easy. Of course, Dalupan felt slighted about the Big J's transfer and eventually, the two became arch rivals all the way

Jaworski Files

The Jaworski Files:

1. Slit The Throat Gesture - In the 1997 season, San Miguel Beer's Allan Caidic got waylaid in a battle for the loose ball and fell accidentally with his head hitting the floor first. The coliseum fell into a hushed silence after seeing Caidic almost unconscious and not moving. Thereafter, Caidic threw up on the hardfloor brought about by the loud thud he experienced. Minutes passed - no one was moving or taking action as no one seemed to know what to do. Jaworski rose from his bench and made a "slit the throat" gesture, asking "bakit, patay na ba yan?" Critics were quick to lambast the Big J for this

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

Toyota, 1975 - 1983

I originally posted this in mypba.com.

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PROFILE & FRANCHISE NAMES:

Toyota is a Japanese brand that was exclusively distributed by Delta Motors Philippines, Inc., owned by now Bulacan governor Ricardo Silverio, Sr. The team was then known as the Komatsu Comets in the MICAA, one of the more successful teams of the amateur commercial league prior to the inception of the PBA. Sometime in January of 1975, five MICAA teams met together at the old Elizalde canteen to sign a pre-organizational agreement for the formation of what is now known as the Philippine Basketball Association. Dante Silverio, Ricardo Silverio’s nephew, was the official representative of

Robert Jaworski, Sr.

I originally posted this in mypba.com.

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Robert "Bobby" Jaworski, Sr. was born on March 08, 1946 to a Polish American father and a Filipino mother in Baguio City. He began to gain the fame when he started playing basketball for the University of the East Red Warriors in the 1966 season and towed the Recto-based school to the UAAP championship in the 1966 and 1967 championships. Because of his outstanding accomplishment with UE, he was first labeled "Big Hands" by the late sportscaster Willie Hernandez describing the large

Danilo Florencio

I originally posted this in mypba.com.

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DANILO ZOLETA FLORENCIO - probably the most dreaded offensive weapon in PBA history

Danny Florencio is a pioneer of the Philippine Basketball Association having played in the PBA from 1975 to 1983. He played for different teams like the U/Tex Weavers, the 7/Up Uncolas, the Toyota Tamaraws, and the Galerie Dominique Artistas. Florencio didn't have any monicker during his time, but he would probably establish himself as the very first "Skywalker" in the PBA, much ahead of Avelino "Samboy" Lim. Other broadcasters also called him "Daredevil Danny" for his innate ability to slash

The First Genuine Power Forward of the Philippines

I originally posted this in mypba.com

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Abraham Colombus King, Jr.

Year Joined the PBA: 1977

Monicker: Chairman of the Board

Career Scoring High: 60 points - as a Toyota player against Crispa
Teams: 
San Beda Red Lions (NCAA) 1975-1976
Crown Motors (MICAA) - 1976
Toyota (PBA) 1977-1983
Gold Eagle (PBA) 1984
Great Taste / Presto (PBA) 1985-1992
Purefoods / Coney Island (PBA) 1993-1994

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Abe King, Jr. was the starting power forward of MAN Diesel / Frigidaire in the MICAA before his mother team, the Toyota Tamaraws called upon his services at the start of the 1977 PBA season. Prior to that, King was King Bedan in 1975 and 1976 and was responsible in powering the Red Lions to a runner-up and champion finish in those years. 

An Immediate Starter for the Toyota Tamaraws

King was an instant starter for the Tamaraws as resident power forward Alberto "Big Boy" Reynoso

Arnulfo "Arnie" Tuadles, Jr.

I originally posted this in mypba.com.

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Arnulfo Tuadles, Jr.

Height: 6'2

Weight: 170 pounds (?)

Playing Position: Small Forward

Teams: Toyota, Ginebra, Great Taste, Alaska, Shell

Year Joined the PBA: 1979

Monicker: I don't recall except Joe Cantada used to describe Tuadles as "The Visayan debonaire" or "The Cebuano Loverboy"

Career Highlight: first PBA player to crack the Mythical 5 in his rookie season

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Arnulfo "Arnie" Tuadles was a stalwart in the MICAA, playing for the Manilabank Golden Bankers in the mid-70's before peddling his wares with the San Miguel Braves. Tuadles was one of the many talented Visayan players who donned the SMB uniform in the MICAA as the company was one of the movers and believers of tapping basketball talents from the grassroots. Tuadles, along with Marlowe Jacutin,

MICAA

I originally posted this in mypba.com on June 2, 2005.

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The Manila Industrial Commercial Athletic Association (MICAA) was founded back in the late 1930's as a commercial league that featured not only basketball but also multiple other sports like baseball, football, and the like. The league was made up of different companies that represented various sectors of business. The big names that stood the test of time were the Yco Painters (referring to the paint owned by the Elizaldes), Ysmael Steel (a steel-making business owned by the Ysmaels), Crispa Redmanizers (garments owned by the