IT was long in coming, but the waiting was all worth it.
Filipino cage great Carlos 'The Big Difference' Loyzaga finally took his well-deserved place in the FIBA Hall of Fame on Wednesday night as a testament for being one of the best Asian cagers to have played the game.
The entire Loyzaga family led by his widow Vicky and children Chito, Theresa, Joey, Bing, and Princess were present at the Sofitel Hotel to receive the honor that came seven years after he died.
FIBA president Hamane Niang presented the award to the Loyzagas.
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Loyzaga was inducted along with 11 others during the special ceremony that took place two days before the country hosts the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
The other inductees include NBA great Yao Ming (China), Penny Taylor (Australia), Yuko Oga (Japan), Katrina McClain (USA), Amaya Valdemoro (Spain), Wlamir Marques (Brazil), Angelo Monteiro dos Santos Victoriano (Angola), Sony Hendrawan (Indonesia), and the coaching duo of Valerie Garnier (France) and Alessandro Gamba (Italy).
Loyzaga, the first Filipino player to be inducted in the FIBA Hall of Fame, was honored posthumously along with Zurab Sakandelidze (Georgia).
Widely-regarded as the greatest Filipino player ever, Loyzaga bannered the Philippines to a historic bronze medal finish in the 1954 World Championship in Brazil.
Until now, the third place finish remains as the highest ever by any Asian country.
Loyzaga was even named a part of the All-Tournament team as he emerged no. 3 in scoring with an average of 16.4 points.
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