Atoy Makes It but Many Ask: Was Fernandez Robbed? (Sports Weekly, 1979)

Sports Weekly Magazine

August 3-10, 1979

Vic Villafranca

 

 

Tradition ostensibly won over performance, myopia over 20-20 vision and last-minute backstage maneuvers over the weight of statistics when Crispa’s Fortunato (Atoy) Co came from behind to win the most valuable player race of the 1979 PBA All-Filipino over a heavily-favored Ramon Fernandez of Toyota and three other nominees for the bauble which carries with it a Php 50,000.00 cash prize.

 

            It was a black day for objectivity and fair play and the general reaction of the crowd at the Plaza presidential hall in Makati to the verdict ranged from total disbelief to total disgust.

 

            One of the judges in the panel of sportswriters, radio and TV men that rendered the pivotal decision in the contest, Ronnie Nathanielsz of GTV Channel 4, howled over what he described as “an obscene decision.”

 

            “I’m ashamed to be part of the group that was instrumental in carrying out what in my view was an obscene verdict and an unmitigated act of unfairness,” said a fuming Nathanielsz. “I wonder how those guys can sleep tonight or look at their faces in the mirror tomorrow morning.”

 

            Five feet away from where Ronnie ranted, Kitchie Benedicto of KBS, shook her head sadly.

 

            Beside her, TV director Bert de Leon asked, “what happened?”

 

            On the floor, a coach of a PBA ballclub which had tangled with Fernandez’s team in the last All-Filipino, put his arms around the poleaxed Fernandez and blurted, “Mon, you were robbed.”

 

            Rene Dalugdog, who represented the TV group in the media panel of judges, shook Fernandez’s hand and said he couldn’t understand what happened. “But I want you to know,” he told Fernandez, “that in my book, you should have been it, I voted for you and I voted in accordance with my conscience.”

 

 

 

            Announced by PBA Commissioner Leo Prieto, Co’s victory over Fernandez, Sonny Jaworski of Toyota, and two other Crispa players, Freddie Hubalde and Philip Cezar, drew only lukewarm applause from the crowd. There were hisses too, and some scattered boos.

 

            Asked what he thought of the crowd’s reaction, Jun Hizon, producer of the PBA games, said he felt “it smacked of indifference; no spontaneity whatsoever.”

 

            Hizon also observed that from what he observed of the winner’s actuations after he received the award, “It seems as if even Atoy himself Is not altogether happy over the way the whole thing turned out.”

 

            At the Vineyard pub, Rod Reyes, now of the National Media Production Center and formerly one of the country’s top sportswriters, said, “Nakakahiya.”

 

            Then also from Rod came the night’s oft-repeated question, “What happened?”

 

            Indeed, what happened?

 

            Going into the fourth and last phase of the four-tiered format of the race for MVP, Fernandez looked as if he had his first MVP all wrapped up with the way he outscored Co in statistical points garnered in the regular games of the last All-Filipino series and likewise in the All-Star games where both he and Co were participants.

 

            Fernandez finished ahead of Co with 2,856 statistical points against Co’s 2,726 in the All-Filipino. That SP total, which gave Fernandez 30 percent, was tops for this phase of the tilt. Co got 28.63 percent for his 2,726 points.

 

            As for their performances in the four game All-Star series, Fernandez was only second to Freddie Hubalde with his 381 statistical points against Hubalde’s 389, but Co fared worse. He finished fifth behind Hubalde, Arnulfo Tuadles of Toyota and Abet Guidaben of Crispa with his 302 SP’s.

 

            Overall, the statistical points earned by both Fernandez and Co showed the Toyota center 209 statistical points up on Co.

 

            Counting the 30 percent garnered by Fernandez in topping the popularity tilt put by the Don Cigarettes, Fernandez went to the awards dinner holding 69.79 percent of the whole cake, or a 4.43 percent lead over Co who had 65.36 percent.

 

            On the basis of all this, it would seem as if all that Fernandez needed to win was some kind of a reconfirmation by the media panel of judges of what the figures proclaimed.

 

            He never got it.

 

 

 

            Out of the 14 sportswriters and a representative each from radio and TV who cast their ballots for MVP, Fernandez only got 4 votes, while Co ran off with 9. There was one abstention.

 

            With his surprising win in the sportswriters’ ballot, Co finished with 95.36 percentage points against Fernandez’s 83.12%.

 

            It was a stunning, unbelievable reversal, a breakaway from a probable outcome of the race when gleaned in the light of statistics. “Incredible,” said one league statistician, expressing shock over the way the vote of the media panel went.

 

            Incredible it really seems to be, and it’s just too bad that because the media poll was by secret ballot, those who asked the pointed question – what happened? – will never get to know how Fernandez lost in the polling booth in what he appeared to have worked so hard to win on the hardcourt.

 

            Aside from Co, the other winners of silver cups and cash prizes for outstanding performances in the last All-Filipino were:

 

            Arnulfo Tuadles of Toyota – rookie of the year

            Abe King – most improved player of the year

            Tito Varela – most sportsmanlike player

            Crispa Coach Baby Dalupan – coach of the year

           

            Winners of slots in the league’s mythical selection were Fernandez, Co, Jaworski, Hubalde and Tuadles.

 

            Tuadles won out over Ronnie Albor of Honda, Bing del Rosario of Gilbey’s Gin, Ely Capacio of Tanduay, and Fritz Gaston of U/Tex, while King was chosen over a cast of nominees that included Rudy Lalota of Royal, Willie Tanduyan of Gilbey’s, Tito Varela of Crispa and Oscar Rocha of Honda.

 

            Varela got the nod over Tony Torrente of Royal, Larry Mumar of Filmanbank, Jesse Sullano of Honda and Mike Bilbao of Tanduay for the most sportsmanlike player plum.

 

            Dalupan had as his contenders the coaches of the eight other ballclubs in the league.

 

            In winning the 1979 MVP award, Co, who led the league in scoring and was credited as the first man in the PBA to score 5,000 points, approximated a feat he scored in 1976 when he was named pro basketball player of the year in the All-Filipino sports awards sponsored by Seven-Up.

 

But unlike ’76 when he made top pro honors without a breath of dissent from anyone, it was different this time around. For as Co will no doubt find out in the days to come, aside from winning the Wimbledon-style silver cup and a Php 50,000.00 paycheck, he also – through no fault of his own – lit the fires of another controversy in an already controversy-ridden PBA season.

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.”

The Surprising Mr. Mann (Sports Weekly, 1976)

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.