New Crispa-Toyota memories

It may seem unfathomable that bitter rivals, mortal enemies could bury the hatchet and come together in fellowship, more so if they were part of the most famous rivalry in Philippine sports. And yet, that is exactly what happened on Friday night, as the members of fabled PBA teams Toyota and Crispa got together formally outside the basketball court for the first time ever. It was a moving, welcome, historic moment that was a long time in coming.

Former Toyota head coach Dante Silverio hosted the gathering at his building in Makati, organized by 1976 PBA Rookie of the Year Gil Cortez, in the spirit of creating a “brotherhood born out of intense rivalry.” The two pioneering clubs won 22 out of the first 26 championship trophies staked by the league. A dozen Toyota Comets and Tamaraws from both the MICAA and PBA eras attended, including four-time PBA MVP Mon Fernandez, Ed Cordero, Ed Camus, Ulysses Rodriguez, Arlene Rodriguez, Emer Legaspi, Ompong Segura, Oscar Rocha, Pol Herrera and Joseph Galonga. They were joined by three of Crispa’s PBA MVPs: Atoy Co (1979), Philip Cezar (1980) and Freddie Hubalde (1977). Media and a handful of sports collector friends were also present, having their memorabilia signed and posing for photographs with their childhood heroes. The event was also meant to organize a larger commemoration in December, which would bring in retired Crispa and Toyota players – including imports – from overseas.

“You are the ones who started the PBA,” acknowledged a grateful PBA commissioner Willie Marcial, who admitted still being in awe of the basketball legends. “The PBA will always support your projects.”

Event host Chino Trinidad called each and every team member forward to acknowledge their contributions to the game as national players, MICAA veterans, and PBA pioneers. Cezar jokingly proclaimed that he was proudest of having beaten Fernandez in the only one-on-one tournament ever staged by the PBA. In return, a smiling Fernandez clamped his arm around Cezar’s, demonstrating how the defensive forward used guile to guard him.

“I am proud to say that I beat the best,” Cezar laughed. “That’s the thing I’m proud of, because he won everything else.”

PBA Legends Foundation Chairman Co and Executive Director Cordero also announced their golf and basketball projects meant to raise more funds to help aging and ill former PBA players. A proposal was put forth to create a similar effort for Toyota and Crispa players who are likewise facing financial and health issues. After the energy crisis in the late 1970’s, the players of both teams were eventually dispersed in the early 1980’s, suiting up for teams like Manila Beer, Añejo Rum, Great Taste Coffee, Tanduay Rum, Purefoods and others.

Over dinner and drinks, the retirees shared stories about their most memorable games, as a band played 1960’s and 1970’s music in the background. Toyota and Crispa started their rivalry in the MICAA. But the constant use of league players for the Philippine team forced the team owners to organize a professional league to escape being forced to allow their players to be worn down by the old Basketball Association of the Philippines. That’s how the PBA was born.

Many of us remembered how, in those days, the game seemed faster and rawer. Fans followed teams, not players, and money was not a big deal. Since not everyone had a television, appliance stores would leave their TV sets on after store hours to allow fans to watch PBA games siting on the sidewalk. Pol Herrera revealed how he and Tembong Melencio were once offered huge sums to play for other countries, but they declined out of loyalty to the country and their teams. The good-natured teasing and piecing together of memories was delightful to see. It was a different time, a purer time, and we are grateful for the inspiration and memories that Crispa and Toyota gave us. We look forward to their making new memories, together.