NCAA, San Beda honor Caloy Loyzaga with jersey retirement

The family of Caloy Loyzaga witnesses the retirement of his jersey by San Beda during the opening of the 92nd season of the NCAA. RANDOLPH B. LEONGSON/INQUIRER.net

Seeing their patriarch’s San Beda jersey number being retired, the Loyzaga family could not help but be overcome with emotions as the legendary basketball player got his rightful place among the immortals.

“We would like to extend our sincerest gratitude to the NCAA board of trustees, the NCAA executive committee, the NCAA community for the recognition you have bestowed to our father Carlos Loyzaga,” said Loyzaga’s son Chito as he received the commemorative jersey from NCAA president Fr. Aloysius Maranan.

As this season’s host, San Beda retired Loyzaga’s number 14 jersey during the NCAA Season 92 opening ceremonies at Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday.

Chito was with his siblings Bing, Teresa, and Joey during the jersey presentation.

Loyzaga, who was also known as “The Big Difference,” died in January this year. He was 85.

READ: PH basketball icon Caloy Loyzaga passes away at 85 | PH mourns basketball great Caloy Loyzaga; 85

The eldest son of the basketball legend shared, “Our father cherished his years as a student-athlete. He was deeply honored to represent San Beda College on the NCAA court and these were his most memorable years. He also took great pride in being able to serve as an NCAA commissioner and as an NCAA coach.”

“From his playing years, he matured and developed into the athlete that represented our country in two international competitions, the Melbourne and the Helsinki Olympics and four times in the ASEAN Games,” continued Chito. “It is our family’s humble wish that his life on and off the court, discipline and humble as one who taught to contribute with honesty and integrity to the advancement of the NCAA that he can continue to motivate and inspire the next generation of NCAA athletes. We hope that you will remember him as one who loved his country above his personal ambition and as one who loved his teammates as his own family.”

Loyzaga spent his collegiate years in Mendiola, leading the Red Lions to back-to-back NCAA titles in 1951 and 1952.

He also helped the Philippines snare two gold medals at the 1960 and 1963 Fiba Asia Championships, and kept the country at the top of the Asian Games from 1950 to 1962.

“We are deeply grateful to the NCAA’s gesture of retiring his jersey and granting him the honor of being remembered today,” Chito said. IDL