Sports Weekly Magazine
December 31, 1976-January 7, 1977
Alice Lopez Lim
Early in the PBA series, the performance of Cyrus Mann for the Crispa Denims left much to be desired.
The crowd wasn’t pleased at all by his rather lackluster showing.
There were acid comments: “Is that the powerful Brazil Palmeiras player who wowed the audience during their stint here?” “Yun ba ang ilalaban kay “Snake” Jones? Mukhang lampa, eh…”
For during the first games, Cyrus Mann was a far, far cry from the Cyrus Mann who, in the last five games (the best of five) in the third conference, blocked shots, plucked rebounds so easily, measured “Snake” Jones for size and emerged superbly victorious most of the time; gave valuable assists to his teammates, and all in all, performed so remarkably well that he disconcerted and surprised and amazed even some of those who were rather cynical of what he could do for the quintet.
But Cyrus Mann at the outset was bedeviled by a few problems. He even played once right after arriving from the airport and he looked miserable and woefully unfit for pro ball games by vomiting and throwing out right on the floor that Coach Baby Dalupan had to replace him right away.
But the ensuing games were different: Mann became more conscious of his performance for the Crispa Denims.
Articles and news reports twitted him then: his lackluster, lackadaisical attitude inside the hard court was roundly criticized.
And soon, like a dutiful ballplayer, Cyrus Mann toed the line – and he wasn’t acting like any prima donna trying to show the rest that he was an “import” and that, perhaps, he is entitled to some special treatment.
For it was even reported that Baby Dalupan minced no words in calling him down now and then. And proof that the coach and the manager, Danny Floro, wield authoritative hands over their team was the seeming metamorphosis that characterized Cyrus Mann’s blending with the team.
And before long, Cyrus was just “one of the boys,” – no one special. Just like any other player of the Crispa quintet: like Atoy Co, Freddie Hubalde, Rey Pages, Tito Varela, Philip Cezar, others.
And during practice games, Mann went through the whole runtime, doing what he was told by the coach, following instructions.
Doubtless, the “blending” with the team came in most appropriately during the crucial moments when his help was needed vitally.
For during the last five games, Mann was a “towering pillar of power” right at center; there he provided the right kind of defense – easily blocking sure shots (of course, there would be those goaltending violations), preventing the opponent from making those easy layups, for he was there, a gangling, but still powerful pillar of defense; and he excelled in assists, snatching those rebounds (whether in the offensive or defensive rebounds) and subsequently passing to a teammate.
At times, he threw a wild pass or a too-strong pass – which his confrere couldn’t retrieve. And there would be a turnover of the leather.
But on the whole, Mann’s reassuring performance won for him the admiration and camaraderie of his teammates. Even during those tensed, tension-filled last minutes, Mann would be there, doing his thing, providing Crispa it’s undeniable sock.
And after the hard-won trophy was given to the squad, the jubilant but perspiring Mann did a jig with his wife, Cotrie Mann, while the television cameras of NMPC GTV-4 focused on the overall scene of excitement and jubilation.
Later, at the dressing room, Cyrus Mann was heard to have said, “I would rather play for Crispa than for an NBA team…”
Whether the remark was uttered impulsively in the fevered heat of just winning a championship, one couldn’t right away ascertain. Suffice it to say that Mann, wiping his perspiration and answering questions from the reporters, showed that like the rest of his teammates, his heart was really there – in winning and copping that prized trophy for his quintet.
There’s little doubt where his heart belongs: it belonged to Crispa at that right and precise moment. He was one of the boys, whooping it up, visibly excited and elated over the triumph manifesting his interest and affinity for the team which beat its arch rival, Toyota, in grand slam fashion.
And later, at the victory party held at the “Anong Balita” coffee shop of the Makati Hotel, Mann was there, as jubilant and excited as the rest. Enjoying the drinks and the food.
At a table with Cotrie, his wife, were Bill Bunton and the latter’s wife, Linda. And there was even a time when the good-looking April S. Cezar, Philip’s better-half, requested Mann to pose with her. And with wholesome good nature, Mann readily acquiesced, posing with April for a photograph with everybody cheering them.
Yes, he was going home for Christmas, he told this writer. He’d go to Detroit, spend Christmas probably with his own family, his parents, his brothers and sisters, his kin.
Would he come back to the Philippines, one wishes to know. Yes, in all probability, he’d come back. And no one would probably be happier than Danny Floro, Baby Dalupan and the rest of the bunch.
Let’s take a look at some statistics during the best-of-five and see how Cyrus Mann fared.
In five games, he played a total time of 158.35. His field goal attempts totaled 78. He converted 41 of those field goals for a 52.56 percentage.
At the free throw line, he made 20 out of 30, for a 66.67%. He made 102 points in those five games, with an average of 20.4.
In the rebounds department, Mann had 39 defensive rebounds as against 8 offensive rebounds.
In the assist department, Mann completed 5 passing assists, with 4 passes not completed. He blocked 13 times, stole one, and had one deflection for his team. He provided screens all for 5 times, chalked up 3 in loose ball recoveries for a total of 32. He committed 23 errors, however, and also made 10 fouls.
In the earlier round of five, Mann topscored for his quintet. He had a “hot hand” then, as compared to the others. In the best of five, it was Atoy Co (who should get the MVP award if they apt to give it this year) who topscored for a whopping 159 points. That is, Co converted 65 out of 13 field goal attempted and at the free throw line, Co was unbeatable with his conversion of 29 out of 36 for an 80.55%.
But going back to Mann, his presence at the center post was undoubtedly a big contributing factor to Crispa’s continuous momentum towards the championship. The other players no doubt were daunted, “for his presence, there was of course, intimidating force.” Fact is, the sure shots of the others from the opponent’s side seemed easily deflected or went haywire because of Mann’s manning at the pivot post.
Mann has enjoyed his brief stay in the Philippines, it was obvious. He has made friends, Cotrie, his wife, admires Atoy Co- “he’s such a good player.”
Mann, whose other brother, Allen (or is it Alan???) is just so tall and is already showing skill as a ballplayer, has a terrific sense of humor. He jokes and kids around with friends.
He loves swimming aside of course from playing ball. He is easy to talk with: he’s not at all standoffish or one who’s difficult to converse with. He shows his appreciation of what is written about him by simply asking where the article would be coming out. Doubtless, Danny Floro will sign him back again next year – when the PBA season commences with the imports gracing varied quintets.
“Okay ‘yang taong ‘yan….,” a Crispa player says.
When he dribbles, he looks loose-limbed, as if it’s easy to thwart him. But make no mistake of trying to steal the ball from him: he’d easily stash away the leather from the opponent’s reach and pass it off to someone. And when he jumps to snatch away those rebounds from the rest, his long arms enfolding the spheroid, he seems to do it with deceptive ease. But he occasionally throws wild passes; too strong for his colleagues and too high for some of them.
Will he join the Boston Celtics (of which he was a draftee, it was earlier reported) when he goes back?
Maybe yes. Maybe not. But whatever happens in the near future, Cyrus Mann will certainly fit in on whatever plans the Crispa management has for him. And from the looks of it, the genial manager is only too willing to dangle anew the contract for this “towering and lanky pillar” who contributed immensely to the victorious end of a too long protracted league.
Meanwhile, Mann’s “image” – rather tarnished by none too complementary reports about him, is now that of an “adored hero” by the countless fans of the Crispa Denims, indubitably, “the best team in the PBA” and second to none.