There’s so much to write about basketball these past days.  Of course, the Philippines being chosen by FIBA recently to host one of only three Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQT) is huge news.  And who can forget the San Miguel Beermen’s amazing comeback in the PBA best-of-seven finals from 0-3 to force a winner-take-all Game 7 versus the Alaska Aces on Wednesday?  But the sad news of Carlos “Caloy” Loyzaga’s passing has somehow eclipsed all goings-on in local basketball.  He is, after all, the greatest Filipino baller that ever lived.

We’ve all heard about the man’s great achievements in basketball.  He remains the only Asian player to ever make it to the All-Star Mythical Team of the FIBA World Championships, in 1954.  Not even the great Yao Ming, who became an NBA star, achieved this.  Loyzaga’s heroics in the 1954 World Championship elevated the country to a bronze medal finish, the highest by any Asian team to date.  Although we must be hopeful that such a feat may be repeated someday, that possibility looks far-flung at the moment.  But winning the OQT here in July could be a good start.

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