Drugs a menace since Crispa-Toyota days

The problem of illegal drugs use has been embedded in the pro league since its glory years in the 1970s.

PBA pioneer Rey Franco said the menace in the league is nothing new, admitting he himself was tempted to take illegal drugs at the height of his playing career.

"Noong araw two hours a day at three times a week lang ang ensayo namin so mas marami kang oras at mas madaling maakit sa drugs. Madali kang lapitan ng mga kunsinong gusto kang akitin ditto," said Franco during the SCOOP sa Kamayan session yesterday.

"Mabuti nga at may programa ang PBA ngayon against illegal drugs, mababantayan ang mga players," added Franco, among the Redmanizers who will play in the Crispa-Toyota Reunion Game in the first day of the PBA All Star Week on May 30 at the Araneta Coliseum.

Franco, a former UE Warrior guard who played for six years for Crispa from 1975-80, said he never got into drugs and is now advising the youth cagers not to try it, since it will ruin their career.

Franco now runs a placement agency sending overseas Filipino workers in Hong Kong and the Middle East.

Some members of the fabled Crispa team had a reunion of sort at the SCOOP session yesterday, paying tribute to the late Crispa bossman Danny Floro on his 81st birth anniversary.

On their coming reunion game with the Toyota Tamaraws, they were happy to be part of the spectacle that will well bring back memories of the fierce rivalry.

"Ang gandang laro nito and we’re all excited dahil kami-kami ang tagal ng hindi nagkikita. Dahil dito muli kaming magkakasama-sama," said one-time PBA MVP awardee Atoy Co who is serving as the leader of the group.

"Yung mga fans namin nandiyan pa rin naman. Kapag nakikita kami nagtatanong pa rin iyan kung kailan kami maglalaro uli. Eto na," said another one-time MVP winner Philip Cezar.

More than 20 Crispa players have expressed intention to play and these include Franco, Co, Cezar, Freddie Hubalde, Abet Guidaben, Bernie Fabiosa, Bong dela Cruz, Dave Brodett, Willie Tanduyan, Romulo Mamaril, Yoyoy Villamin, Bay Cristobal, Padim Israel, Mon Cruz, Tito Varela and Itoy Esguerra.

Coach Baby Dalupan has sent word he’ll try to come home from the United States to call the shots for the team.

Senator Robert Jaworski, meanwhile, was among former Toyota players who signified their intention to play in the team to be coached by Dante Silverio.

Others Tamaraws who are now in touch with the PBA Commissioner’s Office are Ramon Fernandez, Emer Legaspi, Ompong Segura, Chito Loyzaga, Terry Saldana, Ed Camus, Orly Bauzon, Boy Clarino, Gil Cortez, Ed Cordero and Pol Herrera.

"Kahit umabot kami ng 50 players, basta nakapaglaro sila sa Crispa, welcome sila sa game na ito," said Co.

Asked on their chance against Toyota in this game, Co said:"Noon pa kayang-kaya na namin sila, ngayon pa kaya."