On Robert Jaworski

Jaworski is a wonderful study in sociology. I didn't hate Jaworski that much when he was with Toyota, I actually despised Fernandez more. Being an avowed Crispanatic, it was always Fernandez that made life difficult for Crispa. Sure, Jaworski got his licks in but the real pain in the behind was Don Ramon. For one, Abet Guidaben was a poor match against him, especially during the earlier years. Philip Cezar did well in defending him but then again, he's two inches shorter than Fernandez. And we all know how

The Greatest PBA Games

1. Game 7 of the 1991 Open Conference Finals

Outcome - Ginebra 104 Shell 102

The protagonists - Ginebra San Miguel and Formula Shell Rimula-X. Two of the most bitter rivals especially after then Añejo Rhum walked out of the previous year's tumultous Game 6, practically handing the silver platter to the Oilers. After 4 games, Shell was comfortably ahead, 3-1, needing just

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

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,

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,

PBA Rookies During the Early Years

I originally posted this in mypba.com on June 2, 2005. Thanks to Atty. Percival Flores for correcting some of the items.

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The finest amateur players that joined the PBA in the formative years mostly came from the MICAA. Here's a partial list:

Jimmy Taguines / Manilabank - joined the Tanduay Esquires in 1977 and became the PBA ROY; bruising power forward with a solid interior game

Virgilio Cortez / Manilabank - joined the Toyota Comets in 1976 and became the PBA ROY; excellent transition player recipient of the baseball pass from Jaworski and Fernandez

Jimmy Manansala / Yco - joined the Tanduay Esquires in 1978 and became the PBA ROY; hotshot