Team Profile – Toyota: Shaky Start, Stretch Drive (Sports World, 1973)

Sports World Magazine

August 11-17, 1973

E.A. Perez De Tagle

It was as big a bash as could be, had any old noontime that press conference that was to propel the Komatsu Komets into the limelight of bigtime Philippine basketball last week of March. Only, it was not to be, because the morning dailies carried the news that Komatsu, together with E.R. Squibb and Consolidated Foods Corporation was still outside the MICAA looking in. So all there was for newsmen that day were a terrific lunch, a more terrific bevy of beauties, and Dante Silverio, wearing instead of familiar garb as one of motor racing’s aces a barong with the new bodyfit cut – affable, somewhat apologetic, at the abrupt turn of events but determined to make as good a go of the affair as could be.

 

If the frustration hurt, Dante didn’t show it. The show went on and the brand-new Komets were introduced.

Robert Jaworski, Alberto Reynoso, Fortunato Acuña, Francis Arnaiz, Cristino Reynoso, Ramon Fernandez, Rodolfo Segura, Ulysses Rodriguez, Edilberto Canamo, Edward Camus. That was nearly five months ago.

 

When the team was formed, Jaworski and Big Boy Reynoso were not yet sure they could play in the MICAA for they were nine months away from completing a two-year suspension for going after referees rather than the goal. The word was that the MICAA, regardless of how it acted on Komatsu et al’s petition for reconsideration, would insist in the event Komatsu was accepted that the two fully serve out their suspension.

 

All of which is water under the bridge. The MICAA reconsidered and took in all three teams. The MICAA also reconsidered and allowed the Big J and Big Boy to play. And now, Komatsu turned Toyota and Komets turned Comets are on the verge of a Cinderella finish in their first year of action.

 

But if anybody should say that all it takes to win a championship is to get Jaworski, Reynoso, Bauzon, Fernandez, Segura, Arnaiz and mix, Dante Silverio will be first to say not on your life. For the making of a team, he found out (Toyota Coach Claustro Verona whom everybody calls Nilo being a veteran cager knew all time) meant a lot of sweating it out. Practice, practice and more practice. Exposure to competition – the team grabbed every opportunity to play.

 

A good word from friends went for an invitation to join in from the Panamin organizer, Manda Elizalde. And Toyota (as Komatsu) was in its first tournament.

Was there a fairy godmother? Did the slipper fit? If there was, she didn’t show, and the slipper was big enough to wobble in. In other words, the guys now known as Comets dropped five games in a row to bring up the rear in the standings with YCO winning the crown.

 

The next tournament – the National Invitational – the Comets sat out, and they would have sat out the last meet for the 1972-73 season, too – the Palarong Pilipino – but for the failure of the UAAP to field a complete team. The university selection was scrapped, and Toyota moved into the slot.

 

It was much the same glory for their first game as they lost to Mariwasa, 79-84. But Bauzon was now playing together with Fernandez whom San Miguel Corporation decided to release. SMC must have rued it for Toyota scored Victory No. 1 in official play against the SMC Braves, 73-66.

 

Crispa and Concepcion prevailed against the newcomer, but the Comets dashed the NCAA selection, 102-77, and humbled YCO, 87-82, for a 3-3 showing. Dante and Co. were ready for the MICAA.

 

Saddled early with a setback (by Crispa) after an initial win against Universal Textile on MICAA opening day, June 3, the Comets next won six of seven matches to finish the first half of the marathon 18-game preliminary round second from the top on a 7-2 record, bettered only by YCO’s 8-1.

 

 

Like some other big teams, Toyota fell victim to Lauro Mumar’s foxy tactics in second half play, but as of this writing, appear certain of second place in qualifying round standings. At worst, it would figure in a three-way tie for second with Concepcion and SMC, a win in its last two games will cement second place, behind YCO which definitely has nailed first place regardless of the outcome of the Painters’ game with the Comets Thursday.

 

Why has Toyota progressed from whipping boy to championship form in just a matter of months? It was just a matter of weaving the team together, Nilo Verona would tell you. For the team on paper had everything: height in Fernandez, Camus, Jaworski, the Reynoso brothers, Bauzon, Acuña, Segura, Carlos Concepcion. Bauzon, Jaworski and Arnaiz can be excellent as court generals. Further, Toyota’s tall men except for Big Boy and a couple of others are fast and rugged.

 

Segura is beginning to blossom into a receiving whiz. Arnaiz’s outside shooting is deadly, Jaworski, despite a tendency to go individualistic, is not the Big J for nothing: he has the shots, the drive, the speed, the bulk. So long as he controls his temper, he is among the very best.

 

Big Boy, despite a bulging middle, has shown he is the best exponent of the hook – with either hand – hereabouts. His give-and-go plays with younger brother, Cristino, shattered many a tight defense.

 

Fernandez is impeccable when he wants to be. Belligerent to the point of hurting at first, he has foregone rough play in his last few games (his latest tactic was harmless: he tickled Fortunato Co just under the right floating rib everytime the Fortune Cookie kid had the ball) and concentrated on assists, at which he is smooth and slick.

 

Bauzon, seemingly relutctant to take shots because of so many good shots around is among the best spotters when he decides to take aim. A little encouragement from Verona is probably what Bauzon needs to start pumping in those long toms of his.

 

Sunday night, just after YCO throttled Concepcion’s bid to be YCO’s third conqueror in the tournament, the Comets lazed away practice time. Meaning they didn’t exert too much efforts, just loosened their muscles. But they were impressive in built, in movement.

 

“Ang lalaki (how big!),” exclaimed a boy trapped by Sunday night’s hard rains.

 

So long as it’s not their heads that grow, big things are bound to come out all right for the Comets.

Jaworski: A Star is Reborn (Sports World, 1973)

Sports World Magazine

August 11-17, 1973

Tessa M. Jazmines

It’s your move. Now that the Toyota Comets have bagged the 1973 MICAA title and there’s nothing left to do but sit back and analyze (or if you want, gnash your teeth in sorrow or click your heels in glee) … it’s your move to comment on how the Comets did it.

 

Specifically, let’s concentrate on Bobby Jaworski – by far the most talked about – if not the most controversial – Comet. Did he play a key role in the Toyota drive for the title? Was his comeback successful?

 

As usual, snoopy Sports World didn’t stand still. Like a neighborhood wag, it travelled from door to door (at least a few) to ask some basketball crazy folks what they thought about the Big J’s performance. Did it rate a smile from Miss Universe? Or a cruel sock from George Foreman?

 

Ten people all in all were asked for their two cents’ worth. Four were basketball players. The rest were fans.

 

“He’s one of Toyota’s main weapons,” said a long and lean forward / guard from one of the MICAA’s top teams. His hustling, rebounding and shooting were key factors in their success. Besides, their coach displayed no over confidence. He always used the best players.”

 

“I don’t like him. Ma-ere siya sa hardcourt,” a female fan wailed. “But yeah, he was very instrumental in winning the championship. He knows how to play good, physical basketball.”

 

AN out-of-town priest who digs basketball and plays it too had this to say, “I agree wholeheartedly that the Big J carried Toyota to success.” And the reason for this, he says, “is because Bobby J makes the all-important clutch hits. Lalo na kung yung mga bago ang kalaban niya, he can handle them well. He uses his body to good advantage.” Father what’s-his-name continued, “Only a strong man can stop Jaworski.”

 

There were negative impressions, though. “Most of the time, nakakasira siya. He’s an individual player,” said a glamourous femal fan.

 

“Of course, he’s one of the key men,” said another. “And definitely, he’s a big contribution. But sometimes, he becomes the goat. Bigla na lang maraming errors.”

 

 

A basketball star as slim as a reed was also quite skeptical about Jaworski’s performance. “He’s quite instrumental in bagging the championship,” he says, ‘but he was also the one who – you know – made the team lose during the second game. He can help the team, no doubt, but he has a tendency to be individualistic. “Yun ang ikinatatalo ng team.”

 

“He starts rallies, fires up the whole team,” was the opinion of a cute chick. “He definitely made Toyota win. Verona would put him in at critical moments and he would trouble shoot He can do it because he has the speed and the bulk. Kayang-kaya.”

 

Sports World asked two other players if they thought Bobby Jaworski propelled the Comets to victory. “Hindi naman masyado,” said a dusky hero. “If you ask me all of them played well – especially Ed Camus. Biro mo yun apat niyang hook shots e pumapasok.”

 

The other – a good-looking guard – concurred. “It’s not really Jaworski who played a key role on championship night. It was Camus.” And he proceeded with an elaborate analysis.

 

“Camus delivered the goods in the first half. He shot, rebounded and did his job as center. Jaworski then was already handicapped by two fouls so Camus took over. With Camus in, hindi na nahirapan si Reynoso…and Camus clicked.”

 

“Not one man can claim credit for that Toyota win. There were many factors involved. For one thing, the players played well. Coach Verona formed the team well. A very important factor is Dante Silverio. He was very much concerned about his team – financially, morally, socially. He’s an athlete too and knows how to treat fellow athletes…kaya ka-vibes tuloy niya yung players.”

 

Almost everybody thought, however, that Bobby Jaworski made a successful comeback. “He’s definitely one of thebest players we have,” said the cute chick.

 

To some, however, Bobby Jaworski didn’t change at all. “He’s still the same,” said the reedy player. “Bobby Jaworski is the same person,” said the forward / guard. “He’s rugged – and he added quickly – but not dirty.”

 

And that’s how the cookie crumbled when an assorted group of fans and idols were asked about Bobby Jaworski’s campaign in MICAA ’73. The consensus seems to be that Bobby is good and should be an important ingredient to any Toyota game if the Comets have anyi intentions of winning.

 

Bobby Jaworski alone, however, cannot spell victory. Like they say in the rules, teamwork is the sure-fire way to success.

 

Bobby Jaworski, nevertheless, makes very good conversation piece for people – whether for him or against him. And one thing’s sure – feelings felt for the guy are intense both ways, never bland.

 

Bobby Jaworski, after all, is not just any basketball player. As the cute chick – who by the way is no Toyota fan – says of him: “He’s more than a basketball player. He’s a star.”

MICAA Revisited: 24 Days after the Crispa Six Scandal (Sports World, 1973)

Sports World Magazine

August 4, 1973

Tessa M. Jazmines

 

 

            What’s with the basketball nuts after the cage fix scandal? Did enthusiasm cool and Coliseum attendance wane? How did the sports buffs take it? What say the ladies and the hero-worshipping kids?

 

            To get the answer SW turned on its radar and acquired a pair of parabolic ears. Sharpened its vision and observed, observed, observed. It watched the crowd at the Coliseum. Listened to loud whispers in the comfort rooms. Sometimes, it used ESP to detect nuances of emotions behind tightly-set lips. More often than not, it asked downright, snoopy questions.

 

            Was your enthusiasm for basketball affected by this cage fix thing? A comely lady called Leila was asked. “It didn’t affect me at all,” she said, “because it didn’t affect the team I’m rooting for.”

 

            “Yes,” a saucer-eyed TV fan named Tiks said sadly when asked the same question. “Everytime I watch the games now, I can’t help wondering whether it’s an act or it’s for real. It saddens me to know that the players are not playing according to their true abilities and displaying their real talents.

 

 

 

            Actually, most of those interviewed displayed unabated interest for the sport. Almost all were just as enthusiastic about watching the games now as before the scandal broke out.

 

            Do you still want to watch the games? SW asked someone who looked like a basketball-smitten teenager. “Oh yes!” came the animated reply. “In fact, I’m exhausting all possible channels to get tickets.”

 

            Others empathized with the involved players. “It’s really going to be hard on those who were caught,” one said.

 

            Some – particularly an artist named Rody – displayed a sharpened sense of justice: “It’s going to affect the performance of the Philippine team,” he said. “But the life ban penalty is good. Masama talaga yun ginawa nila, eh.”

 

            Another fellow’s comment dealt more on the philosophical plane: “A person is only as good as his credibility. A man’s honesty is the key to his credibility. If you don’t have that, who’s going to trust you?” And with an emotion-packed “Sayang,” he shook his head.

 

            Others were so downright mad they wanted the investigation extended to include not noly players but also coaches and referees. It is the children, however, who idolized the fallen players who are most pathetic of all. A mother of four, all Crispa fans, said her children were heartbroken about their heroes. A little girl feels so ashamed and persecuted in school by classmates who taunt her about the players in her favored team.

 

            It seems that those who watch basketball for the thrill of it, who cheer for spirit and root for love – particularly for the team concerned – were greatly affected. On the other hand, those who favor other teams and who would rather think of the whole thing as a minor snag in the tapestry of life just shrug the matter off, view matters realistically, and go on enjoying the games where they left off.

 

            The crowd has not thinned out at the Rizal Memorial either. They still come in packs and droves. The lower box seats still get sold out, and the galleries still teem with people who brave the fickle weather and the oppressive stadium heat.

 

 

 

            Of course, as one enthusiast matter of factly put it, “Kaya maraming nagtitiyaga diyan, hindi dahil sa laro, kundi sa pusta,” – there is a suggestion that betting is very much part of RP basketball.

 

            There is a common consensus among the buffs that quite a number of undesirable activities and characters abound in local bigtime basketball. Almost all, however, are thankful that the MICAA and the BAP, together with the Metrocom have given this matter the necessary attention and applied the necessary pressures to clean the sport of its dirt.

 

            No, it doesn’t look like basketball will lose its following after the cage fix thing. On the contrary, some are even optimistic that the steps being taken at present will improve the sport and give the honest-to-goodness fans who don’t watch the games for money something to shout about.

 

            Soon enough, the hardcourt fistfights, bloody noses and cracked wrists may be suffered again for the real thing. We’d all love that. Wouldn’t you?