FEB 26, 2016

NR # 4122B

Congressional citation for The Big Difference

A Pampanga lawmaker, currently one of the respected names in the countrys basketball coaching
scene, has initiated a move for a congressional honor for the late Carlos Caloy Loyzaga, considered a
legend in Philippine sports.
Rep. Joseller M. Guiao filed House Resolution No. 2646 last January 28, 2016 entitled A
Resolution giving recognition and appreciation to the contributions of the late Carlos Caloy Loyzaga to
Philippine basketball and expressing the most sincere and profound condolences of the House of
Representatives to his family.
HR 2646 proudly referred to Loyzaga, nicknamed The Big Difference and considered the most
accomplished Filipino Basketball player in the local and international arena passed on January 27, 2016.
Considered to be the greatest Filipino basketball player of all time, the 64 Caloy was a dominant
force in the international arena from the 1950s to the 1960s and was Philippine squads solid anchor to
several international tournaments, most notably at the 1954 International Basketball Federation (Fiba)
World cup (formerly known as the World Championship) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he led the
Philippines to a bronze-medal finish, which, to date, is still the highest finish by an Asian country, Guiao
recalled.
His death is a great loss not only to his family and friends, but also to the millions of basketball
fans, young and old, who share his love and passion for the sport, Guiao said.
Guiao cited Loyzagas prolific scoring ability, averaging 16.4 points in the Basketball World cup
that earned him a spot in the prestigious Mythical Five and headed the Philippine Olympic team twice in
1952 in Helsinki where he averaged 10.6 points, and in 1956 in Melbourne where he normed 17.3 points
per game.
Loyzaga likewise led the country to gold-medal finishes in the Fiba Asia Championships in 1960
and 1963, and four consecutive gold medals (1951, 1954, 1958 and 1962) in the Asian Games, Guiao
pointed out.
The basketball coach-lawmaker stressed that Loyzaga is an inspiration to the basketball
community and the grateful Filipino nation, not only for his accomplishments, talents and high basketball
IQ, but also because he remained humble and low key.
The resolution also noted that after Caloy retired from active playing, his love for the game never
wavered and he returned to coach the University of Sto. Tomas and the U-Tex and Tanduay teams in the
early days of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
Loyzaga, Guiao added, was inducted to the Philippine National Basketball Hall of Fame in 1999
and was given the Philippine Sportswriters Association Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.
Coach Caloys basketball legacy is epitomized by his love, passion and sincere dedication for the
game which brought glory and honor to the country during those golden years -- something that must
not be forgotten but should serve as an inspiration for us to continue aspiring for greatness in this sport,
the lawmaker-coach concluded. (30) dpt