Five minutes with Caloy Loyzaga

The first thing I noticed is Caloy Loyzaga despite putting on some weight seems to be powerfully built. The handshake -- he's got a powerful vise-like grip -- confirms that. And he looks you in the eye when he talks to you. And he is sincere and very polite and friendly. A true gentleman of an era gone by. The man has a lot of stories to tell and there's so much that I wanted to ask him, but we didn't have time. His son, Chito, was a teammate of mine in a team named for an old foe of his father at that time, Team (Frankie) Rabat, in the Ateneo Basketball League. I think I was the only non-varsity player on the squad. Hahahaha. We also worked together for some baseball coverage when I was with Solar Sports and have kept in touch about hoops and sports. It helps too that I was a fan of Toyota and Ginebra.

Rick: How are you, sir?
Caloy Loyzaga: I am good! Good. And you?

Rick: Fine, sir. How are you enjoying the game (Ateneo vs UE second round)?
Caloy Loyzaga: I am enjoying it. It’s a different game now, yeah? Not what we played in the day.

Rick: You came here to watch Ateneo – your old rival? Have you seen San Beda yet this year?
Caloy Loyzaga: Well, I… we have a history with Ateneo. And Chito (his son) also went there. So we also root for our old rival. (laughs) You’ve had a lot of very good players over the years. The Ateneo center… what’s his name?

Rick: Rabeh Al-Hussaini.
Caloy Loyzaga: Ah. Robbie?

Rick: Rabeh.
Caloy Loyzaga: Rabeh. He can be more dominant if he improves his footwork and moves a lot faster. He is getting double-teamed so he must make faster decisions with the ball. You see, when you get the ball, don’t give the defense a chance to think. If you can take your man, take him out fast. I don’t think anyone can guard him. But he brings down the ball, you see?

Rick: So you think Ateneo will beat UE?
Caloy Loyzaga: UE’s playing good defense, but I expect Ateneo will adjust. You have intelligent players. It’s going to be a good game.

Rick: How about San Beda; have you watched them lately?
Caloy Loyzaga: Not yet. Tomorrow we will. Not since… what’s his name? The African?

Rick: Sam Ekwe.
Caloy Loyzaga: Yes, Sam. Not since his first year in the NCAA. I heard he’s even better now.

Rick: Do you still follow basketball?
Caloy Loyzaga: Not so much. Don’t ask me too much about the game today (laughs). I don’t know much about it. It’s not the game I played. I play golf. I’m playing golf with my son on Saturday. But I followed the Boston Celtics’ championship season in the NBA. They have a good big man in (Kevin) Garnett. I love the Celtics. I’m glad they’re back. It brings back memories.

Rick: (pleasantly surprised) You’re a Boston Celtics fan? Cool.
Caloy Loyzaga: Oh yes. All the way to the Bill Russell era. I played against him (in the 1954 World Basketball Championships) and (pausing to enunciate) he is the best basketball player who ever lived.

After this I went back to court leaving the Big Difference to chat with inboundpass' Kim Lesaca. I did get to speak with Mr. Caloy again briefly but the longer interview did not push through.