The 'New" Bernard Harris: Walking Tall with Crispa (Sports Weekly, 1979)

Sports Weekly Magazine

November 30-December 7, 1979

Peter N. Acosta

 

 

            He got in the Crispa lineup via a majority vote of all the players of the Pasig ballclub, winning handily over Norm Kelly of the Honda Wildcats, and in his first game with his new team, Bernard Harris, formerly of Tanduay, repaid his new teammates’ vote of confidence with a performance that showed he just might be what the doctor ordered as the replacement for the discredited Cyrus Mann.

 

            “I’m happy tonight,” said the Crispa Walk Tall Jeansmakers’ end-of-the-season acquisition whose first stint in the PBA was with the defunct Seven-Up ballclub in 1976 before he made the switch the following year to the Esquires.

 

            If Harris was happy, there was no doubt that the Crispa front office men – owner Danny Floro and Coach Baby Dalupan – were doubly more so.

 

 

 

            For in his first time with the Walk Tall team, Harris proved his awesome potential as Irv Chatman’s partner when he anchored Crispa to a 116-88 romp over the second conference champion, Royal Tru Orange.

 

            Aside from banging a game-high 31 points, Harris hauled down 22 rebounds and came through with three assists.

 

            But what made Harris’ debut with Crispa all the more remarkable was that he outrebounded the indomitable Otto Moore – 22 to 20 – and played so smoothly with a team whose play patterns he was unfamiliar with.

 

            And Harris admits that despite his crackerjack showing for Crispa against Royal, he felt he had not completely gotten into the swing of the Walk Tall Jeansmakers’ game.

 

            “I’m still trying to blend with the team,” he said, while all around him, his new teammates exulted on the way he had more than ably filled in for Mann, whose contract was rescinded by the Crispa management towards the end of the last PBA conference when it realized it could not get him – despite earnest efforts – to kick his old drug habit.

 

            Harris went on: “It takes a while to blend with a new team. Crispa has an entirely different style from Tanduay. Although both are running teams, I believe Crispa has a little more depth and a little more sock.”

           

            Asked if before Crispa’s game with Royal he received any specific instructions from Coach Dalupan, Harris smiled. “None really. No specific instructions.”

 

            So how was he able to perform so well against Otto Moore, Royal’s dominating slotman?

 

            “Oh that,” he said. “Well, I’ve always felt that to cut down Moore’s effectiveness in the rebounds, you’ve got to box him out. I think I did that tonight.”

 

            On the observation that he appeared to have improved on his field goal performance with Crispa, Harris attributed this to his being able “to take more outside shots with confidence…feeling more at ease taking such shots with Crispa.”

 

 

 

            Along with the veteran Gene Moore, Harris played for the first time with Tanduay in the 1977 second conference but he never finished the season when he suffered an arm injury when the Esquires took on the Toyota Tamaraws in an out of town game in Bacolod.

 

            Last year, it was David Payne who teamed up with Moore for Tanduay, thus Harris was not with the Esquires when they made the finals of the 1978 third conference.

 

            But this time around, things may be different for Harris.

 

            He figures to play in a title playoff – with Crispa.

 

            “I think that if we continue playing the way we did against Royal, we have a pretty good chance of making the finals,” he said.

 

            Asked if his joining Crispa came after long-drawn negotiations, Harris said, “it was not hard reaching a decision to play with Crispa.”

 

            “I understand the whole team voted for me,” he continued. “I can only hope I can keep up the kind of game I played tonight.”

 

            As to his future plans or specifically, if he’d consider to continue playing for Crispa, Harris said, “that depends, but first, we’ve got to talk.”

 

            In his 29-game stint with Tanduay in 1977, Harris averaged 24 points a game, hauled down 282 rebounds, had 22 shot blocks, averaged 47.14% from the field and 66.67% from the free throw line.

 

            In this year’s second conference, he raised his average to 26.62 points per game, was 11^th in the list of rebound leaders with an average of 12.4 rebounds per game, seventh in the list of shot block leaders with 2.4 blocks per game and logged 32 minutes and 26 seconds per game in playing time.

 

            Because Tanduay didn’t make the round of four, Harris sat out the homestretch part of the second conference race. But this time around, he figures to be there and not only there, but at the forefront of Crispa’s vaunted bid to regain a PBA conference championship it last won in 1976.

The Night Toyota Ran over Crispa (Sports Weekly, 1978)

Sports Weekly Magazine

June 23-30, 1978

On the Line, Vic Villafranca

 

 

Editor’s Note: Two hours before the Toyota-Crispa game last Tuesday, SWM columnist Vic Villafranca looked like he needed a stiff drink. He kept asking everybody: do you think Sports Weekly magazine will taste better with mustard or catsup? The reason for this was a week ago, in the last issue of SWM, Vic had vowed to eat a whole issue of SWM for breakfast if his prediction of a Toyota win by at least four points over Crispa didn’t come true.)

 

            Put away the mustard, Sim and Pyke, you may do the same thing with the catsup.

 

            That’s right, fellows, it’s off – the spectacle of this full-grown columnist chomping on the latest issue of Sports Weekly magazine for breakfast because Tuesday night at the Araneta Coliseum, before a packed house that included a big batch of keelhauled Crispanatics, a fired-up Toyota team, playing as if there’s no tomorrow, unloaded its big bombs against a badly outclassed Crispa outfit, 158 to 135, to round out its qualifying round playdates with a 12-2 won loss record.

 

            It was the same record posted by the chastised Crispa Redmanizers for the same stretch – Crispa’s first loss coming off an opening day setback to the U/Tex Wranglers, and its second, the drubbing that was almost cold-bloodedly administered Tuesday by Toyota.

 

            As for the Tamaraws, their two losses came at the hands of the Redmanizers in the first round and to the Tanduay Esquires Friday last week in an out-of-town match in Davao.

 

            So the two ballclubs, both of whom had wrapped up semifinal berths earlier than usual, came to the end of their respective qualifying round campaigns all square, although it seemed Toyota had all the more reasons to whoop it up with what they pulled off before a turn-away crowd estimated at 25,000 at the Big Dome.

 

 

 

            It was murder; plain, unadulterated murder.

 

            Playing as if in one evening they intended to make up for the humiliating that they suffered in Davao and, a month earlier, in Manila, the numbing aftermath of a crushing setback to the Redmanizers, Coach Dante Silverio’s boy went full steam all the way against Crispa in their second meeting with the Redmanizers this season to walk off the hardcourt with their prestige back in their pockets.

 

            Right from that time late in the first quarter when they pulled away by as much as 17 points, the back-with-a-vengeance Tamaraws never gave the Redmanizers a chance to breathe.

 

            The first period ended with Toyota’s lead down to 11 points on two quick hits by Philip Cezar and Tito Varela, but when Sonny Jaworski and Danny Florencio opened the second quarter with two completed fast break plays, the Tamaraws were again off and running.

 

            After two minutes, Toyota’s bulge had ballooned anew to 17, then 20 and all the way up to 23 when Francis Arnaiz, back in the groove as Toyota’s best clutch hitter, teamed up with Estoy Estrada and Jaworski to touch off an 11-4 Toyota blast that closed out the first half at 78-57.

 

            In the third quarter, the game assumed the character of a public slaughter of the once-dreaded Redmanizers when the Tamaraws relentlessly banged in 45 points against Crispa’s 26 to bust the match wide open going into the final period.

 

            In this torrid third, it was the “old” Toyota gang of Jaworski, Arnaiz and Ramon Fernandez who presided over the carnage. By the time the buzzer sounded, the Tamaraws were way out in Bangkok by 30 points.

 

            From this point on, it was all downhill for the Tamaraws although earlier in the fourth, the game was threatened by a melee and with 8:33 left, the Redmanizers had attempted a last gasp turnaround by bringing down Toyota’s lead to 21 points.

 

            The Redmanizers, however, never got farther than that because promptly, the Tamaraws unleashed a 12-4 barrage that sent Toyota’s lead up again to 31. Toyota’s margin of victory eventually settled at 23, which was deceptive because until the game swung into a you-shoot contest, the Tamaraws were wielding the axe at will on a hapless Crispa team.

 

 

 

            As in their previous encounters, the latest episode in the four-year old running gun battle between the two ballclubs was staged amid the pressure cooker atmosphere of an epic struggle.

 

            Standings-wise, the match was a no-bearing affair since both teams had assured themselves of semifinal round berths as early as the third playdate of the second round of the double-round qualifying run. Just the same, they went at each other’s throats as if Tuesday night was already championship night.

 

            As in so many Toyota-Crispa encounters, Tuesday’s night fever pitch confrontation was not without its share of tense moments and its roster of players sent out of the hardcourt due to injuries or by allowing their tempers to run amuck.

 

            For Crispa, the injury list was headed by Abet Guidaben, the Redmanizers’ 6’5 center, who suffered a busted jaw when he got hit by Fernandez as he was driving in for a lay-up. Toyota’s loss was Fort Acuña, who was thrown out of the ballgame when he touched off a melee after 1:25 in the final quarter.

 

            Jaworski was earlier sidelines because of a sprained ankle, but turned out not to be a serious injury because Jaworski was able to get back into the game. Fernandez had his lip split, but this didn’t stop him from finishing the game.

 

            By dealing the defending PBA All-Filipino champions the worst beating ever administered to Crispa this season, Toyota fully settled a two-month old score with the Redmanizers.

 

            But more than this, the Tamaraws, who are shooting for their second All-Filipino tournament championship, have emerged from the grey shadow of their two qualifying round losses and established themselves anew as the team most likely to win what is often known as the most prestigious title of the year-round PBA series.

 

            One runaway decision over Crispa doesn’t of course mean they’ve got it made, but with that awesome run and gun performance the Tamaraws have left no doubt about their being the most awesome ballclub in the All-Filipino when they are on. As undoubtedly and convincingly they were Tuesday night at the Big Dome when they all but reduced the Redmanizers to the category of a pedestrian that got hit by a runaway truck and never got to know what really hit them until it was time to take off their casts.

 

            Quote unquote –

 

            Atoy Co, upon reading SWM’s prediction of a Toyota win by at least four points: “Because of that, we’re going to beat Toyota.”

 

            Coach Dante Silverio, a week before the Tams went up against Crispa: “We’re going to beat them, Buddy.”

 

            Crispa owner and manager, Danny Floro, when asked if he was “nervous” about the outcome of the second Crispa-Toyota game in the All-Filipino: “I am always very nervous when we play Toyota.”

 

            Crispanatic, Naty Redublo, on SWM’s prediction: “So you think Toyota is gonna beat us by four points, huh? Man, you must be dreaming or out of your mind.”

PBA '78: Something Old, Something New (Sports Weekly, 1978)

Sports Weekly Magazine

April 14-21, 1978

 

 

            The biggest news in this coming PBA All Filipino is Toyota’s acquisition of PBA’s celebrated number one forward, Danny Florencio. The former Seven-Up Uncola, in an earlier article, admitted his desire to be and to play with a champion ballclub.

 

            By champion ballclub, Florencio meant Toyota or Crispa or U/Tex or Tanduay. For one sure thing though, he cannot go back to U/Tex where he had a stormy stint, nor Crispa, where he was sacked in 1972. Nor with Tanduay which he left during the happier amateur days. So, it is Toyota straight. And there couldn’t be a better choice. Dante’s squad is in dire need of a first-rate forward who can match skill with Jaworski, Arnaiz and Fernandez. A forward who is seasoned, a veteran who can deliver the points if he wants to regardless of the situation.

 

            Jaworski and Florencio could there be a better combination?

 

            Toyota’s acquisition of Florencio will test anew the stiff rivalry of the Crispa and Toyota teams, and will gauge the duo’s drawing power at the box office.

 

            The fans who were denied of a dream contest between Toyota and Crispa last All-Filipino, where Baby Dalupan’s boys faced Mariwasa for the championship, might be in for another thriller, Crispa having bolstered its slot with returnee Philip Cezar and newcomer Jimmy Javier. Bogs Adornado and Rudy Soriano however are still in the injured list.

 

 

 

            Crispa’s old reliables Atoy Co, Abet Guidaben, Bernard Fabiosa, Freddie Hubalde, Joy Dionisio, Tito Varela, Cris Calilan, Bong Dela Cruz, Rey Franco, Rey Pages, and Mando Torres will still be around.

 

            Toyota, on the other hand, aside from Jaworski, Florencio, Arnaiz and Fernandez, have sophomores Abe King, Emer Legaspi, Nick Bulaong, Ambo Javier and Fort Acuña, Rino Salazar, Jess Sta. Maria and Oscar Rocha.

 

            Not to be outdone are perennial threats U/Tex and Tanduay. U/Tex, fresh from an invitational tournament in Hongkong, has acquired two of the best amateur players in Etok Lobo and Anthony Dasalla.

 

            Aside from its prized catch, U/Tex still has Lim Eng Beng, Boy Kutch, Ricky Pineda, Jimmy Noblezada, Romy Cabading, Rudolf Hines, Ed Camus, Roy Deles, Boy Mora and the comebacking Romeo Frank.

 

            Tanduay has the same team, Freddie Webb, Rene Canent, Joy Cleofas, Abet Gutierrez, Dave Supnet, Jimmy Taguines, Mike Bilbao, Ace Moreno, Ric Catacutan, Vic Sanchez and Bert Dela Rosa.

 

            Newcomers to grace Tanduay’s team this season is top amateur player Jimmy Manansala, Abe Monzon and Ver Santos.

 

            Honda, with new coach Alberto Reynoso, formerly the country’s number one center, is the team to watch this season. It has remained intact except for some old names recruited from the other teams like Orly Bauzon, Tino Reynoso and Caloy Rodriguez.

 

            Retained in the team are Epoy Alcantara, Mark Arriola, Manny Chan, Luke Dacula, Mariano Figuracion, Jun Papa, Jesse Sullano, Mario Marasigan, Ompong Segura, Gil Cortez, and Renan Pablo.

 

            It has lost its big difference, Billy Robinson, who is back in the United States.

 

 

 

            Presto came up with a tentative list of Manny Paner, Ernesto Morales, Johnny Revilla, Danilo Pribhdas, Lory Tolentino, Dante Ritualo, Bien Alenton, Danny Basilan and Boy Clariño.

 

            Royal Tru Orange has the most number of rookies in the team. The squad is beefed up by former amateurs Leo Paguntalan, Marlowe Jacutin, Paul Velasco, Tony Torrente, Richard dela Peña and Rudy Lalota.

 

            Its maintays are Yoyong Martirez, Molet Pineda, Norbie Rivera, Max Baguio and Marte Samson.

 

            Botchok Delos Santos is another addition to the team.

 

            Seven-Up’s lineup reads Jaime Mariano, Roberto Salonga, Jacinto Chua, Alfredo Enriquez, Romulo Palijo, Ernesto de Leon, Lawrence Mumar, Orlando delos Santos, Jaime Otazu, Renato Sidamon, and, hold your breath, Estoy Estrada!

 

            Yesiree, the former hotshot of Tru Orange and considered one of the best pointmakers in the PBA, has joined Seven-Up to fill in the gap vacated by Danny Florencio.

 

            That’s the PBA’s rigodon de onor.

 

            “The All Filipino title is a prestigious one. We always try hard in this conference,” said Coach Baby Dalupan.

 

            “I think we will be better off this year. My boys are physically fit and I am confident we will make it this time,” Coach Dante Silverio said with all optimism.

 

            Words indeed from mentors of PBA’s leading ballclubs which are expected to clash anew and resume rivalry as to who’s who in the PBA.

 

            But then, don’t count U/Tex out. And Tanduay, too. They could play the bride’s role this year, who knows?

 

            On Sunday, after the opening ceremonies, Toyota will face Tanduay while U/Tex test their wares against defending champion, Crispa.