TOYOTA vs. Crispa. Crispa vs. Toyota.
It's certainly the greatest rivalry in Philippine basketball and the one that shaped the PBA into what it is today.
No wonder, Asia's first ever play-for-pay league, now on its 48th year, is throwing its full support on all the endeavors the two iconic teams will be undergoing from hereon.
"Crispa versus Toyota. Sila po ang nagsimula ng PBA. At kung wala kayo, wala ang PBA," said Commissioner Willie Marcial as he graced the Toyota-Crispa reunification over the weekend at the Alfresco Covered Court in Makati City.
"Susuporta po ang PBA sa lahat ng proyekto ng Toyota-Crispa o kahit anong proyekto ng PBA Legends natin," added the league chieftain who managed to watch both teams at their peak.
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Marcial was invited to the affair by former Toyota stalwart Gil Cortez in the second of what is expected to be a series of gatherings between members of the two greatest franchises in PBA history.
The project was initiated following the 50th grand anniversary of the Toyota Tamaraws last February, and then proceeded by this reunification with the Crispa Redmanizers, ably represented by former MVPs Fortunato 'Atoy' Co, Philip Cezar, and Freddie Hubalde.
A grander reunion is being planned by December to be hosted by the Redmanizers, with members of the Toyota team invited as their special guests.
"Kaya minabuti kong puntahan si Commissioner at kausapin siya na kung puwede, siya ang tutulong sa atin with regards to production," said Cortez, the very first PBA Rookie of the Year in 1976.
Cortez was invited by Marcial to watch Game 5 of the Governors' Cup finals between Barangay Ginebra and TNT and talk to him about the grand reunion being hatched eight months from now.
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Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) chairman emeritus Manny V. Pangilinan also vowed to support the project along with TV5, according to Cortez, SBP regional director for Region 3.
"Yung malilikom na pera, we'll put it into a foundation. Pag-uusapan namin ng Crispa para makatulong kami sa mga players," said Cortez.
Legendary Toyota coach Dante Silverio, who's been the gracious host of the first two reunion events, also promised to help in all the undertakings of the group.
Four-time MVP Ramon Fernandez joined Cortez among the former Toyota players who were also present along with Rodolfo 'Ompong' Segura, Oscar Rocha, Paul Herrera, Emer Legaspi, Ed Cordero, Ed Camus, brothers Ulysses and Arlene Rodriguez, and Joseph Galonga.(RG)
