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  • ‘Magnificent Seven’ set for Philippine Sports Hall of Fame enshrinement

    ‘Magnificent Seven’ set for Philippine Sports Hall of Fame enshrinement

    The Philippine Sports Hall of Fame will welcome its newest members in the fifth enshrinement ceremony on Saturday at the Philippine Sports Commission House, celebrating a group of athletes whose achievements helped shape the nation’s sporting history.


    The class, dubbed the “Magnificent Seven,” features Olympic boxing silver medalist Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco, basketball icon Ramon Fernandez, Paralympics bronze medalist Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta of para powerlifting, tennis standout Cecil Mamiit, athletics star Isidro del Prado, and two-sport achievers Bea Lucero-Lhuillier of gymnastics and taekwondo, and the late Eduardo Alvir Pacheco of basketball and football.

     

    Their induction marks another milestone for the Hall of Fame, which continues to preserve the legacy of Filipino athletes who brought pride to the country on the international stage.

     

    The announcement of the seven inductees was made last April, with the original ceremony scheduled for May. However, the Philippine Sports Commission decided to move the event to ensure the athletes themselves could attend and personally receive the recognition.

     

    During the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum at the PSC media room, Anna Christine Abellana from the Office of Deputy Executive Director-Bureau on Coordinating Secretariat and Support Services explained why the ceremony was postponed.

     

    “He (Chairman Pato Gregorio) wants everyone to be here, that’s why we have to address the dates and invitations. So we even had to extend for a month para mahanap silang lahat,” she said.

     

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    The effort paid off, as all living inductees confirmed their attendance.

     

    Pacheco, who has already passed away, will be the sole inductee represented by his heirs during the ceremony. 

     

    Among the honorees, Mamiit’s attendance carries special significance. The 49-year-old former tennis star will travel from the United States to witness his own induction. A six-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist and two-time Asian Games bronze medal winner, Mamiit remains one of the most accomplished Filipino tennis players in history.

     

    “He (Mamiit) has already confirmed, and he’ll be arriving on the 19th from the United States,” Abellana confirmed his arrival.

     

    The ceremony will be led by Philippine Sports Commission chairman Patrick Gregorio and Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, with First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos also delivering a special message.

     

    Aside from the honor of being inducted, each enshrinee will receive P500,000 and a specially designed Hall of Fame trophy created by Leandro Baldemor.

     

    The new trophy design will also be unveiled during the ceremony, marking a new visual identity for the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame.

     

    Jan Errol Facundo, head of the PSC Integrated Communication and Events Office, explained the significance of the new design.

     

    “The one they will be receiving will be the perpetual design of the (Hall of Fame) trophy. So magkakaroon ng bagong mukha ang tropeo ng Philippine Sports Hall of Fame. And it will be unveiled during the ceremony which will be another highlight of the program,” added Facundo.

     

    The event will carry a distinctly Filipino theme, with barong tagalog and Filipiniana elements incorporated into the venue branding and activities.

     

    “Our theme will be barong tagalog and Filipiniana and that includes the venue branding and other activations na gagawin sa loob ng ating venue,” said Facundo.

     

    For the organizers, the focus remains on the athletes and their stories.

     

    “We keep the program simple and meaningful kasi gusto ng ating chairman na ma-highlight ang ating mga enshrinees,” he said. 

     

    As the seven legends enter the Hall of Fame, the ceremony will serve as more than a celebration of medals and records, it will honor the perseverance and impact of athletes who helped define Philippine sports.

     

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  • Seven icons to be inducted into the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame

    Seven icons to be inducted into the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame

    Some legacies go beyond the scoreboard. On May 20, seven of the country’s most distinguished athletes will take their place in history, not just for what they achieved, but for what they represented during their time wearing the national colors.


    Dubbed the “Magnificent Seven,” this newest class of Hall of Fame inductees reflects a diverse era of Philippine sports. 

     

    Leading the group is Olympic silver medalist Monsueto “Onyok” Velasco, whose run in boxing remains one of the nation’s most cherished Olympic memories. 

     

    He is joined by basketball legend Ramon Fernandez, along with fellow standouts Eduardo Pacheco, Isidro del Prado, Beatrice Lucero-Lhuillier, Cecil Mamiit, and para-athlete Adeline Dumapong-Ancheta—each carrying a story that helped elevate Philippine sports on both local and international stages.

     

    Their inclusion was no simple decision. From a pool of 75 nominees, the final seven emerged after careful deliberation, underscoring just how deep the country’s sporting history runs.

     

    “There were 75 nominees who were deserving but we had to choose the brightest among them,” Tolentino, the POC president said.

     

    The rigorous selection process was carried out by a distinguished panel led by Patrick Gregorio and Abraham Tolentino, alongside Francisco Rivera, Jarryd Belo, Jose Malonzo, Xavier Virata, and Al Panlilio. Supporting the process was a Review and Evaluation Committee composed of respected media practitioners such as Jun Lomibao, Al Mendoza, Ignacio Dee, Quinito Henson, and Dodo Catacutan, ensuring a balanced and credible selection.

     

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    Officials are already exploring changes that would expand recognition beyond athletes and coaches, potentially honoring contributors who helped shape the sporting landscape from behind the scenes. These proposed updates, however, will require legislative backing before they can take effect in future inductions.

     

    For the Philippine Sports Commission, the Hall of Fame serves a deeper purpose than recognition alone. It is meant to preserve identity, to tell stories that define what it means to compete for country and flag.

     

    “The Philippine Sports Hall of Fame is more than just an honor roll of medals—it is a living ledger of greatness to honor those who have defined what it means to be Filipino in sport. They are the pride and memory of a nation,” Gregorio, PSC chairman said.

     

    As the fifth batch of inductees, the “Magnificent Seven” will bring the total number of honorees to 54, adding their names to a growing lineage that dates back to the Hall’s creation through Republic Act No. 8757. 

     

    More than a ceremony, their induction marks the continuation of a story—one where past achievements fuel future inspiration, and where every generation is reminded of the standard set before them.

     

     

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  • PBA Finals MVP Trophy etches Ramon Fernandez’s legacy in every detail

    PBA Finals MVP Trophy etches Ramon Fernandez’s legacy in every detail

    When the PBA Press Corps decided to give its Finals MVP trophy a name, it didn’t settle for symbolism alone—it chose to tell a story through design. 

     

    The newly minted Ramon Fernandez Trophy, set to be awarded to the Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals MVP, turns the career of one of the league’s greatest icons into a physical tribute measured in inches, curves, and proportions.

     

    Every element of the trophy reflects Fernandez’s unparalleled run in Asia’s first professional basketball league. 

     

    His image anchors the centerpiece, while the dimensions quietly echo the milestones that defined a two-decade career. Standing 19 inches tall with a four-inch base, the trophy honors Fernandez’s record 19 PBA championships and his distinction as the league’s first four-time MVP.

     

    The figure of Fernandez rises 15 inches from the base, a nod to his 15th PBA season—one that ended with a historic 1989 Grand Slam for San Miguel Beer.  

     

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    Even the base carries layered meaning: a 19-inch circumference referencing the jersey number he wore during the latter half of his career with Tanduay, Purefoods, and San Miguel, and a 6.04-inch diameter marking his 6-foot-4 playing height.

     

    The concept was shaped and finalized by current PBA Press Corps officers, with PBA head of statistics Fidel Mangonon III translating Fernandez’s legacy into precise design specifications.

     

    Raymundo’s Awards, long known for its craftsmanship, was tapped to bring the vision to life.

     

    Fernandez himself gave his blessing to lend his name to the award, adding gravitas to a Finals MVP honor that dates back to the 1996 All-Filipino Cup. Known as “El Presidente,” the Hall of Famer is expected to arrive this week to personally present the trophy alongside the Press Corps once the San Miguel–TNT title series concludes.

     

    As a final gesture of recognition, the PBA sportswriters will also present Fernandez with a replica of the trophy—an acknowledgment that only after he receives it will the Ramon Fernandez Trophy be officially unveiled, completing a tribute that blends history, design, and legacy into one enduring symbol.

     

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  • “I will forever treasure it”: Ramon Fernandez reacts to PBA naming Finals MVP trophy after him

    “I will forever treasure it”: Ramon Fernandez reacts to PBA naming Finals MVP trophy after him

    The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) has officially renamed its prestigious Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in honor of Ramon Fernandez, the league’s all-time scoring leader and one of the most influential figures in Philippine basketball history. The announcement comes during the PBA’s milestone 50th anniversary season, adding symbolic weight to the tribute.

     

    Fernandez, who was among the pioneers when the league launched in 1975, expressed profound gratitude for the recognition. Now 72 years old, the basketball icon said the gesture is something he will “forever treasure,” reflecting on how the PBA shaped not only his career but also his life.

     

    “To have the PBA Finals MVP trophy bear my name, especially in this 50th year, the golden anniversary of the Philippine Basketball Association, is something I never imagined yet will forever treasure. This is more than a personal recognition. It is a reminder of a lifetime shaped by the league that gave me purpose, pride, and a second family,” Fernandez said in a statement.

     

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    Fernandez continued by sharing a heartfelt reflection on his journey through the PBA and how it molded him beyond the hardwood.

     

    “The PBA was my battlefield, my classroom, and my home. It was where I learned discipline, sacrifice, teamwork, humility, and the meaning of leadership under pressure. Every championship fought for, every finals series endured, every cheer, and every criticism, all of it molded the player and the man I became. I owe so much of who I am today to this league,” he added.

     

    Often hailed as the greatest PBA player of all time, Fernandez was a trailblazer whose impact continues to be felt decades after his retirement. He debuted with the iconic Toyota Comets in the league’s inaugural season and went on to win a record-setting 19 PBA championships, including a rare Grand Slam. His blend of size, skill, and versatility revolutionized the way big men played in Philippine basketball.

    His statistical dominance remains unmatched. Fernandez still holds the all-time PBA records for points (18,996), total rebounds (8,652), defensive rebounds (6,435), blocks (1,853), free throws made (3,848), and minutes played (36,624:30). He also collected four season MVP awards, two scoring titles, and five All-Star selections, with his jersey No. 19 retired by the San Miguel Beermen as a permanent tribute.

     

    The Finals MVP award, which will now bear his name, was introduced in 1996—two years after Fernandez concluded his illustrious 20-season career in 1994. The renaming bridges the historical gap between the modern era of the league and its foundational years, honoring the legacy of one of its earliest superstars.

     

    Fernandez hopes that players who receive the trophy in the years to come will embrace the values he stood for: discipline, resilience, leadership, and love for the game.

     

    “As future Finals MVPs lift this trophy, may they remember that greatness is not only measured by statistics or championships but by character, commitment, and love for the game. If this trophy inspires even one player to play harder, lead better, and honor the league that raised us, then this recognition has found its true purpose.”

     

    He ended his message with a powerful tribute to the league where he built his legacy.

     

    “The PBA gave me a lifetime of memories. To now be forever woven into its history, in this golden season, is an honor I will carry with pride until my last breath,” Fernandez concluded.

     

    The renaming of the Finals MVP trophy not only immortalizes Ramon Fernandez’s contributions but also reinforces the PBA’s commitment to celebrating its rich heritage as it moves into a new era of Philippine basketball.

     

     

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