Caloy Loyzaga
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / RYAN LIM
Basketball legend Carlos Loyzaga will take his place among the immortals as the NCAA will retire his number 14 jersey before Season 92 tips off on Saturday.
NCAA management committee chairman Jose Mari Lacson said that the family of the basketball legend will be on hand to witness the historic event, including son Chito.
Loyzaga played for San Beda in his collegiate career in the 1950s before embarking on a legendary career, where he led the Philippines to numerous triumphs in the international stage.
“Caloy Loyzaga has made not just San Beda and the NCAA, but also the whole Philippines proud. It’s about time we return what he had done by honoring him with this,” said Lacson.
During his stint with the Red Lions, Loyzaga steered the team to back-to-back NCAA championships in 1951 and 1952.
He also led the country to gold medals in the 1960 and 1963 Fiba Asia Championships, and four times in the Asian Games from 1950 to 1962.
Loyzaga was also instrumental in helping the Philippines come away with the bronze medal in the 1954 Fiba World Championship in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.
“The Big Difference” passed away early this year but definitely left an indelible mark in the Philippine basketball scene.