Remembering Carlos Loyzaga

By Jesus A Garcia Jr.

THE first sports celebrity to pass away this year was the Baguio City-born famous broadcaster, writer, boxing analyst and Dagupan City son-in-law and maker of world champion, Hermie Rivera.

He was followed by basketball icon Carlos Loyzaga last January 27.
Unknown perhaps to many basketball fans, especially the young ones today, 6’3” Loyzaga, fondly called “King Caloy” by sports scribes in the 50s-60s. He was the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and Manila Inter-Commercial Athletic Association (MICAA) standout whom they described as the best basketball player the Philippines ever produced. He won championships for San Beda Red Lions in NCAA and YCO Painters in MICAA. He was given the moniker “Big Difference” for his great plays inside the court, the most memorable was when he led the national squad in the Rio de Janeiro 1954 World Basketball Championship where the Philippines won the bronze medal, a feat that no other Asian country achieved to this day. He propelled our national squad to four victories in the Asian Games starting 1951 and twice (1960 and 19630) in the Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC) which is now called FIBA Asia.

King Caloy was also the only Asian player to be included in the Mythical Team of the World Championships.

I met King Caloy once in 1999 with his former PBA player-son Chito over lunch at Bangsal Restaurant in Binmaley during the prime days of the Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA). Chito was then the top honcho of MBA and this writer was the commissioner of MBA’s Pangasinan Presidents. I still remember him describing the manner of dribbling of the ball of the players (professional or amateur) as ‘carrying or lifting the ball,’ which is a violation of the FIBA rule, during his time.

He retired in 1964. And now he’s gone. But the legacy he left to this basketball-crazy country will never-ever be forgotten and will never be surpassed.

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I watched the first bicycle race of the province this year last Sunday held at De Venecia, Sr. Expressway Extension. Dubbed as the “First EBD-NOL Individual Time Trial Cycling Challenge,” the short but well-organized bikefest was held to mark the birthdays of two well-known cycling personalities: Engr. Rodolfo “Boy” Dion and Manolito Espino, both officers of the Metro Dagupan Cycling Club, Incorporated (MDCCI) headed by Jose “Jojo” Ramos. The race-against-the-clock was done in four categories (Mountain Bike, Female, 59 years and below, 60 years old and above) and was run in two distances (9.6 and 4.8 kilometers) directed by Roy Velasquez.

There were 71 participants and the top three winners in 9.6 kms. division were: Ricky Quinto, Noel Bumanlag and Adrian Ong while the 4.8 kilometers female (Racer) category was won by Chonnie Vale towing Teresa Tuates for second place, and Rowena Viray. Nico Rama registered the fastest time in the 9.8 kilometers for 59 years old-and-below division while Peter Camacho came in close second and Dong Gonzales, third. Inspired birthday celebrator Engr. Dion triumphed in the 60 years old-and-above group, followed by Willy Martinez and Remy Ramos to finish second and third, respectively.

“It’s not the cash prizes and medals that counts a lot in this race but it’s the camaraderie and bonding of our members that’s most important to us,” said Dion.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “For with God nothing will be impossible.” LUKE 1: 37

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