Legend in his own time

The greatest Filipino basketball player ever will be enshrined in the FIBA Hall of Fame during rites in Manila on Aug. 23, two days before the opening of the World Cup. Carlos Loyzaga, who died in 2016 at 85, will be honored with 11 others, including Chinese star Yao Ming.

A two-time Olympian, Loyzaga led the Philippines to third place at the 1954 FIBA World Cup in Rio de Janeiro (the highest finish ever by an Asian country) and played on the national teams that won the gold medal in four Asian Games and two FIBA Asia Cups. As a collegiate star, he powered San Beda to back-to-back NCAA championships in 1951 and 1952 and in the commercial leagues, took the YCO Painters to 49 straight wins from 1954 to 1956 and seven consecutive national titles from 1954 to 1961. After 15 seasons, Loyzaga retired from active competition at 34 in 1964. In all, he saw action in 10 international competitions where the Philippines posted an overall record of 58-14 and collected a total of 25 gold medals. Loyzaga later turned to coaching, piloting the Philippines to first place at the 1967 FIBA Asia Cup and 13th place at the 1968 Olympics. He also coached two teams in the professional ranks and became an elected government official.

It was in 1954 when Loyzaga gained global acclaim. He was the second leading scorer at the FIBA World Cup in Rio de Janeiro that year, compiling 148 points and was one of only four players to score at least 30 in a game. At 24, Loyzaga averaged 16.4 points in the competition where the Philippines posted a 6-3 mark and brought home the bronze medal. In the Philippines’ 66-60 win over France, Loyzaga was matched up against center Jean Paul Beugnot who caused a delay of 10 minutes after be brought down the basket in a frightening display of strength. Loyzaga stood only up to Beugnot’s chin but outscored the giant, 19-10 and was perfect from the line, eight of eight free throws. Beugnot was named one of FIBA’s 50 Greatest Players in 1991. In another game, the Philippines defeated Uruguay, 67-63 and Loyzaga was in a scoring duel with Oscar Moglia. When the smoke of battle cleared, Loyzaga had outpointed Moglia, 31 to nine. Moglia was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2021. For his efforts, Loyzaga was voted to the FIBA World Cup’s mythical all-star squad by sportswriters who covered the event. As an Olympian, Loyzaga suited up for the Philippines at the 1952 and 1956 Games. The Philippines finished ninth in Helsinki and seventh in Melbourne.

In 1955, Loyzaga barnstormed Spain with his commercial team YCO Painters who compiled a 10-1 record on the tour, losing only to Real Madrid. Sports historian Fernando Font, writing in “El Libro de Oro Del Basket,” described Loyzaga as “famoso” and “longuilineo” in a caption of the YCO team photograph which appeared in the 394-page book. Loyzaga’s fame was clearly world-wide.

Loyzaga’s huge positive impact in the development of basketball in the Philippines is undeniable. He made the Philippines a basketball power not only in Asia but in the world. In recognition of his contributions, Loyzaga was enshrined in the Philippine Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999 and named to the first induction class of the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame in 2010. He received the Athletes of the Century Award from the Philippine Sportswriters Association in 1999 and the Philippine Olympic Committee Presidential Olympism Award in 2016. Loyzaga was on the cover of the book “Legends and Heroes of Philippine Basketball” published in 2004, the subject of the book “The Big Difference” published in 2013 and featured in the book “50 Greatest Filipino Athletes of All Time” published in 2020. More than a basketball star, Loyzaga was a pillar of sportsmanship and a role model. If there is a reason why basketball is the Philippines’ No. 1 sport, it’s because of Loyzaga. The man called King Caloy remains an icon even in death, loved and adored by Filipino hoop fans because in the hearts of millions, he wasn’t only “The Big Difference,” he was also a national hero and a legend in his own time.