Sports and Recreation

1954 Philippine National Basketball Team

The International Basketball federation was founded in 1950 where the first tournament happen in Argentina as the world competed to win the medal just like in the Olympics. The Philippines did no play in this first tournament. However in the 1954 FIBA World Championship, which was the second tournament, the greatest moment happen in Asian basketball history. In a surprising fashion, the Philippines men’s national team won the bronze metal in this world competition. The United States came in first place and Brazil came right behind them. This event took place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil as twelve nations competed for the gold metal. This was an important victory because it was the first time an Asian team ever won a metal in a world sporting event. No other Asian team finished higher until recently in 2006.


Carlos Loyzaga was the star of the team as this event made him the greatest of all time in Philippine Basketball History. He was given the nickname of “the Great/Big Difference” because he had played the center position on the team. He was born to a Basque Family on August 29, 1930 in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro, Philippines. His dad was also an athlete as he played in the Philippine National football team. In San Beda College, he led his team to two consecutive championships which fortunately led to the start of his stardom. His stated to played pro basketball in 1942 playing for the Santa Mesa Aces. Other than this championship, he led the national basketball team to winning four Asian Games gold medals and two straight FIBA Asia Championships. His 15 year career from 1951-1964 made him an all-star and even made the Philippines to be a prominent contender for world recognition. Other world class Filipino players on the team included Mariano Tolentino, Edgardo Ocampo, and Lauro Mumar.

In 1963, the Philippine National Team was suspended of play because the current President, Diosdado Macapagal, declined to let communist countries like Yugoslavia in the Philippines as the country was to host this world event. This led the event took place in Rio de Janeiro again but without the Philippines playing this time.


10th World Scout Jamboree
In 1959, the 10th World Scout Jamboree happened at Mount Makiling in Los Banos, Laguna. This was the first ever Scout Jamboree in the Far East and was called the “Bamboo Jamboree”. The theme of the event was “Building Tomorrow Today”. Scouts from 44 nations came to this event as many cultures mixed. There were 12.203 scouts in attendance at this event. Many nations won’t forget about the classic Filipino Smile exhibited by the hosting country.

-R. Andal