Lydia, Paeng lead latest batch of Hall of Fame inductees

Legendary track queen Lydia de Vega-Mercado and four-time bowling World Cup champion Paeng Nepomuceno will lead the 10 sporting greats who will be inducted into the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame.

This was announced Friday by Philippine Sports Commission Chair Butch Ramirez, who said the sporting idols will be formally enshrined in a gala on Nov. 22 at Philippine International Convention Center.

Joining De Vega and Nepomuceno in the Hall of Fame are Ambrosio Padilla and Loreto Carbonell for basketball, Filomeno “Boy” Codiñera for baseball and softball, Olivia “Bong” Coo and Lita dela Rosa for bowling, Ben Arda for golf, Josephine dela Vina for athletics and Erbito Salavarria for boxing.

“These are the athletes who made us proud to be Filipinos and carried the Philippine flag in the world stage with dignity and honor,” said Ramirez, who led the selection committee.

They will receive trophies and cash incentives worth P100,000 each.