Nabalot ng emosyon ang payak na pagdiriwang ng ika-93 season ng NCAA nang iretiro ng premyadong collegiate league ang No.14 jersey ng namayapang “Mr. Basketball” kahapon sa MOA Arena.
Magkahalong kasiyahan at kalungkutan ang damdamin ng pamilya ni “The Big Difference”, sa pangunguna ni dating PBA player at PSC commissioner Joaquin “Chito” Loyzaga.
“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,” pahayag ni Chito Loyzaga, panganay na anak ng tanging Asian player na napabilang sa Mythical Five sa World Championship.
ALAMIN: 10 bansang hindi nagdiriwang ng Pasko
Tinanggap ng pamilya Loyzaga ang commemorative jersey mula kay NCAA president at host San Beda rector Fr. Aloysius Maranan.
Kasama ni Chito na dumalo sa okasyon ang mga kapatid na sina Bing, Teresa, at dati ring Ginebra King player Joey.
Pumanaw ang Olympian noong Enero sa edad na 85.
“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,” pahayag ni Chito.
“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. 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,” aniya.
Naglaro si Loyzaga para sa San Beda noong 1951-52 kung saan pinangunahan nito ang Red Lions sa back-to-back NCAA titles.
“We are deeply grateful to the NCAA’s gesture of retiring his jersey and granting him the honor of being remembered today,” ayon kay Chito. (Marivic Awitan)
