Manila: Philippine Basketball Association legend Ramon Fernandez and 1996 Atlanta Olympics silver medalist in boxing Mansueto 'Onyok' Velasco headline the latest inductees into the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame (PSHOF). They are part of a seven-member class that was announced during a press conference by Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chair Patrick Gregorio and Philippine Olympic Committee president Bambol Tolentino.
According to Philippines News Agency, Fernandez and Velasco are joined by basketball and football player Eduardo Pacheco, gymnast and 1992 Barcelona Olympics bronze medalist in taekwondo Bea Lucero-Lhuillier, tennis player Cecil Mamiit, track legend and two-time Olympian Isidro Del Prado, and Paralympian Adeline Ancheta. This group represents the fifth batch of inductees into the PSHOF since its inception in 2010.
Each of the new inductees will receive a specially-crafted trophy designed by actor and sculptor Leandro Baldemor, along with a monetary award of PHP500,000. "The Philippine Sports Hall of Fame is more than 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," said Gregorio during the announcement at the PSC Conference Room inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.
Gregorio and Tolentino led the selection committee, which included sports journalist Quinito Henson as part of the review team. Henson noted that the selection process was comprehensive, with 75 nominees initially considered before being narrowed down to the final seven. "It was very comprehensive," Henson remarked, while Tolentino added, "Lahat naman (All of them are) deserving but we had to choose."
There is a possibility that this may be the last class of inductees under the current rules, as Gregorio and Tolentino are considering amendments for the next batch in 2028. "I will be the one to push for that. It is very important to have sports leaders, sports patrons and even media. We want to see them in the Hall of Fame," Gregorio stated.
The formal induction ceremony for the seven sports legends into the PSHOF is scheduled for May 20.
