New batch of HOF inductees to receive P200,000

Ten Filipino sports heroes will be inducted in the fourth batch of the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame later this year and each will receive a bigger cash incentive.  

The cash token saw an increase from P100,000 to P200,000 to help the new batch of Hall of Famers with their needs during these trying times amid the COVID-19 pandemic. 

"We have increased the amount of the token because of the needs in these times," said Anna Christine Abellana, secretariat head of the PSHOF, during the PSC Hour program of the Radyo Pilipinas Dos on Friday, February 19. 

"As what our selection committee said, we are honoring people who have already retired. Some of them are regularly taking medicine," added Abellana. 

More than 40 legendary athletes from 1924 to 1994 were nominated, with the late Ed Pacheco, who played for both the national football and basketball teams, as one of the renowned nominees. 

The review committee composed of respected sports mediamen from broadcast and print will submit the short list on March 5. 

The selection committee led by PSC chairman William Ramirez, POC president Bambol Tolentino and GAB chairman Abraham Mitra will have the final say on who will join the current 37 HOF members.
 
Postponed from 2020 to 2021 due to the COVID crisis, the fourth Hall of Fame ceremony will be held through a unique "hybrid" format, with some inductees attending physically while the others virtually depending on availability. 

Among the current Hall of Fame members are Carlos Loyzaga (basketball), Pancho Villa (boxing), Eugene Torre (chess), Paeng Nepomuceno (bowling) and Lydia de Vega (athletics).