Virgilio ‘Gil’ Cortez, 1976 PBA Rookie of the Year, revealed the plans for a grand homecoming of Toyota and Crispa players. This, following the successful Toyota grand reunion held last February 18 in celebration of the team’s 50th anniversary.
The lead organizer of the recent reunion was Cortez, who says he has been communicating with the Redmanizers’ Fortunato “Atoy” Co, with the tentative arrangement of staging the Toyota-Crispa grand reunion sometime in December this year, to give a chance to even those overseas to attend.
To jumpstart the off the preparations for the grand reunion, Toyota team owner Coach Dante Silverio, the main planner of the upcoming event, will host a gathering of his former Toyota players along with Crispa’s Atoy Co, Philip Cezar, Tito Varela, Bogs Adornado, Freddie Hubalde and Fritz Gaston (who is currently PSC Commissioner) on Friday, 28 April at his events place in Makati City.
Cortez echoed Silverio’s desire to gather the longtime archrivals in one event, where part of the plan is to sell memorabilia, replica jerseys, trading cards and so much more. Proceeds from the grand event will go to a charitable institution that will be chosen by both teams.
Silverio is also hoping that the Floro family, owners of Crispa, will play an active role in the organization of the grand bash. Team owner Danny Floro passed away 28 years ago but his children are still reportedly active with the family’s various businesses.
Cortez said that they will also invite PBA Commissioner Willie Marcial and PSC Chairman Dicky Bachmann who, they hope, will support the project-for-a-cause.
