12 celebrated Pinoy athletes before Pacquiao

Many consider eight-division world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao as perhaps the greatest and most celebrated athlete the Philippines has ever produced.

But before he came along, there were other Filipinos who similarly reached the pinnacle of their sport. Let’s take a look at some of the best and most popular Filipino athletes who came before Pacquiao.

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Carlos “Caloy” Loyzaga

Known as “The Big Difference,” Carlos Loyzaga was one of the most dominant players in Philippine basketball before the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) was created. He was a two-time Olympian (1952, 1956) and is still the only Asian player to make it to the mythical team of the world championships. Loyzaga is also regarded as the best Filipino basketball player of all time.