It’s better late than never for Carlos “Caloy” Loyzaga.
Loyzaga, arguably the greatest Filipino basketball player, will finally be enshrined posthumously when the International Basketball Federation holds its Hall of Fame Induction Dinner on Wednesday at the Harbor Garden Tent of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Pasay City.
Joining Loyzaga, fondly called as “The Big Difference” for his massive impact in the playing court, in the latest batch of Hall of Fame inductees are former National Basketball Association star Yao Ming, Katrina McClain, Amaya Valdemoro, Yuko Oga, Penny Taylor, Wlamir Marques, Liem Tjien Siong, Angelo Monteiro dos Santos Victoriano, Zurab Sakandelidze, Valerie Garnier and Allesandro Gamba.
Loyzaga’s son, Joey, said their entire family is honored to see their father getting the much-deserved recognition that came seven decades after leading the Philippines to a third-place finish in the 1954 World Basketball Championship in Rio de Janeiro.
Joey, one of Loyzaga’s two sons who saw action in the Philippine Basketball Association, didn’t get to see the 6-foot-3 slotman play but still vividly remembers the stories shared by his former teammates and contemporaries.
“I did not see Dad play. I just rely on news articles, his clippings, books and never-ending stories of his former teammates and contemporaries,” said Joey, referring to his father who passed away in 2016.
Joey, a four-time PBA champion who played in the league from 1984 to 2000, said his older brother, Chito, didn’t see Loyzaga play in the league as well.
“I was much of a kid then. Even my brother, Chito, wasn’t able to watch and witness Dad playing,” the 61-year-old Joey said.
“It’s unfortunate. But I always ask his contemporaries and they will be so eager to share, guys like Tito Bonnie Carbonel, Tembong Melencio, Freddie Webb, Tito Martin Urra, Teroy Natividad, Francis Wilson and the list goes on.”
“All incredible stories. They would recall how great a baller Dad was and his humbleness and care for his fellowmen. I’m so proud. I love my dad.”
As a player, Loyzaga led the Philippines to four gold medal feats in the Asian Games — 1951 in New Delhi, 1954 in Manila, 1958 in Tokyo and 1962 in Jakarta.
He was also part of the Philippine squads that won the gold medal in the 1960 and 1963 Asian Basketball Confederation.
Loyzaga was also an Olympian and played for the Philippine squad in the 1952 Helsinki and 1956 Melbourne Games.
But the pinnacle of his career happened in 1954 when he powered the Filipinos to a bronze medal in the World Basketball Championship.
At 6-foot-3, Loyzaga was able to hold his own against bigger opponents and produced the second highest total points in the tournament of 148 behind Carl Ridd of Canada.
The Philippines beat Ridd and the Canadians, 83-76, as well as Oscar Moglia and the Uruguayans, 67-63, with Loyzaga erupting for 31 points.
