Throughout most of his PBA career, Luis “Tito Varela” was known more as a defensive stopper. However, there was one moment in his PBA career when a single basket defined his legacy.

That moment came when Tito Varela was tapped by Crispa Redmanizers coach Virgilio “Baby” Dalupan to spell Rey Pages and bolster the team’s defense. It was the semifinals of the 1977 PBA First Conference, and Crispa was locked in a tight battle with Mariwasa. The Honda Panthers were ahead when Tito Varela checked in, 117-115.

With time winding down, Crispa managed to tie the score after Alfredo Hubalde sank two charities. He then intercepted a pass by Billy Robinson to Lucrecio Dacula (Dator) with about three seconds left on the game clock — setting up one of the most memorable moments in Tito Varela’s PBA career.

Tito Varela’s all-important bucket

In the final play, Tito Varela received a pass from Fortunato “Atoy” Co Jr. and scored from under the basket to give Crispa a 119-117 win. The clutch basket not only sealed the victory for the Redmanizers, it also sent Crispa to the 1977 PBA First Conference Finals.

Coach Dalupan, who admitted that Tito Varela was originally sent in for defensive purposes, was stunned by his backup’s heroics.

“Talagang suwerte (We’re just lucky),” the Crispa coach said. “Now we can rest.”

Tito Varela only scored 3 points in that game, but his lone field goal was the one that mattered most. Co led Crispa with a game-high 34 points, while Hubalde contributed 19.

Adriano Papa Jr. led Mariwasa with 30 points, while Billy Robinson chipped in 27. Still, the night belonged to Tito Varela and Crispa.

In his 12-season PBA career, Tito Varela played in 405 games and averaged just 2.4 points per contest. He suited up not only for Crispa, but also for U-Tex, Tanduay, and Manila Beer.

The iconic semifinal shot may have been just one basket, but for Tito Varela, it remains a defining moment of his PBA career — and a chapter forever etched in Crispa history.

NOTE: The original report that came out in 1977 was written by Bert Eljera of Bulletin Today.