The Philippine Basketball Association’s first season in 1975 witnessed the birth of a storied rivalry between Toyota and Crispa, highlighted by intense on-court battles, dramatic finishes, and unforgettable controversies.
On February 18, 1984, Shareholdings Inc. gave Robert Jaworski, Francis Arnaiz, Arnulfo Tuadles and Chito Loyzaga the green light to negotiate with other teams although all could have ended up with Gilbey’s Gin.
For hoop fans, this is best known as the celebrated comeback win of the Wranglers who were trailing by four, 94-90, with 16 seconds left in regulation.
It was to be an enchanting Lovers Day get-together. Ouch, it was not to be. There were no lollipops and roses on Valentine’s Day of 1984 for players and team staff of the Toyota Super Corollas (Tamaraws) who were told of the shocking news of the disbandment of the Delta Motors franchise in the PBA after a nine-year stay in the pro league during a team gathering for what was supposed to be a happy occasion for all.
The Asian Youth Basketball Championship was established in 1970 with Seoul, Korea as the site of the debuting competitions for players no older than 18 years.
Collecting 50 points in one game may be one of the measurements of offensive wizardry, yet some of the legendary players in Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) history never reached the plateau during their illustrious careers.
On October 25, 1984, “El Presidente” Ramon Fernandez amassed 44 points, 17 rebounds and 17 assists for Beer Hausen in a 122-117 overtime victory over Northern Consolidated in a knockout game that propelled the Brewmasters to the finals of the All-Filipino 2 (second) conference against Great Taste.
It turns out that on Oct. 1, 1985, was the first time that PBA legend Ramon Fernandez saw action for the Tanduay Rhum Masters in the PBA Reinforced Cup.
In PBA history, only on three occasions has a center topped the league in total assists. Twice it was the elegant “El Presidente” Ramon Fernandez who turned in the trick, firstly accomplishing the feat with the Toyota Tamaraws in 1982 with 346 assists in 67 assignments for a 5.2 average then with Beer Hausen two years later with 635 dimes in 64 appearances for a league-record 9.9 average
![Eumir Felix Marcial [photo credit: Eumir Marcial Facebook]](https://sportsbytes.com.ph/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/marcial3-e1620805332834-400x200.jpg)
The problem is Eumir Felix Marcial, who’s now a professional pugilist, though I sincerely believe that his commitment to the national cause remains solid as ever is fighting an enemy, an imaginary enemy or shall I say the wrong enemy.