MASTER BLASTER
Neil Bravo
Former PBA star Chito Loyzaga, now Commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), has been the most active among the new members of the PSC Board. He is among the ‘fresh’ breed of sports leaders we have right now.
Commissioner Chito, who elevated Philippine baseball to a different level when he headed the creation of a semi-professional league, could be one of the better choices as Commissioner. He has genuine passion both for sports and his job.
For the record, there were a number of applicants to the position as Commissioner after the election of President Noynoy. I even knew some who were remnants of the PSCs past.
The choice of Chito as Commissioner is a recognition of his leadership and depth. Chito is the eldest son of the legendary Caloy Loyzaga who is known in the annals of Philippine basketball as “The Big Difference.” King Caloy anchored an undersized Philippine squad to a third place finish in the 1954 World Basketball Championships in Brazil.
I got to know Chito personally when he was Commissioner of the defunct Metropolitan Basketball Association (MBA). We collaborated to bring the MBA to Mati, Davao Oriental. We met again when the reunion of basketball greats happened in 2003 also in Mati during the 3rd Mindanao Friendship Games. King Caloy, now a resident of Gold Coast, Australia, was reunited with his 1954 teammate and NCAA rival, the late Francisco “Rajah of the Rebounds” Rabat. The two had a very emotional reunion.
The image of the two legends still remains among the most memorable event in my life as a sportsman.
Commissioner Chito admits he wanted to become the Commissioner-in-charge for Mindanao.
“I believe we have a very deep pool of talents in Mindanao,” he told me excitedly. The man known in the PBA as “The Dynamite,” still explodes with novel ideas and a big heart for sports. But the thing I am impressed most is that Chito does the ‘messengering’ job even in the office. He walks in to the Chairman’s office taking with him some documents any secretary or clerk should do. He goes to Congress for the budget hearing. He is a hands-on guy.
“There is no better man who can best explain these documents than myself. On matters of necessity, it is best to personally carry your purpose,” he intimated. It’s refreshing to know that he does not play golf during office hours.
For sure, Commissioner Chito understands the meaning of accountability.
While the PSC made a good pick with the appointment of Chito, the City Hall needs to make a right pick as well in appointing the head of the city sports development office.
From the archives of the MIRROR, I read an article written by colleague Lito delos Reyes which dwelled on the question of who is going to be the next sports chief manning the city sports development office. The article was published sometime in July in the aftermath of the local elections and with the changing of the guards at the City Hall.
As suggested, there were some personalities mentioned and some arguments backing up the choices.
Some picked what they call “a visionary leader.” Hmm, let me just put it this way. I also used to believe in that and used to believe in whom. Not anymore.
What is a visionary if you do not walk your talk? If you do not practice what you preach? On the same breadth, someone who does not know anything about sports development but is close to this and that official need not apply. Lest we forget, sports development is not housecleaning and maintenance.
There is more to be done than just appointing an office head. Maybe it is time to revisit the purpose of this office. Sometimes, you have to wreck and rebuild.
Recycling is good for the environment, but when it comes to sports development, never reuse nor recycle.
