*By Brian Yalung
*Iconic PBA rivals Toyota and Crispa are set to gather on Friday, Apr. 28, in a rare reunion at a lounge in Makati city.
*From left to right: Ed Camus, Emerito Legaspi, Fortunato Co, Gil Cortez, Rodolfo Segura and Edgardo Cordero. (Photo from Virgilio “Gil” Cortez)*
It will be recalled that in February, Toyota held its 50th grand reunion thanks to the efforts of 1976 PBA Rookie of the Year and lead organizer Virgilio “Gil” Cortez together with former coach and manager Dante Silverio. Among those who attended the event were four-time PBA MVP Ramon Fernandez, Rodolfo “Ompong” Segura, Ulysees Rodriguez, Emerito Legaspi, Ed Camus, Leopoldo Herrera and Edgardo Cordero. With the success of that grand reunion, the idea of possibly holding a reunion with their archrival cropped up. According to Cortez, he reached out to Fortunato “Atoy” Co in an effort to stage a bigger reunion with Crispa and thus the staging of the rare gathering set this Friday. Cortez added that they will be taking small steps in making this happen. For this gathering, some members of the starting unit of the fabled Crispa Redmanizers will be in attendance. Among those expected to grace the event aside from Co are Philip Cezar, William Adornado, Freddie Hubalde, Tito Varela and now PSC Commissioner Matthew “Fritz” Gaston. Also invited to the event are PBA commissioner Willie Marcial and PSC Chairman Richard “Dicky” Bachmann. Aside from Crispa and Toyota players, also invited to grace the event include different personalities from media outlets who witnessed the legendary rivalry of the two PBA teams from yesteryears.