More than his gravity-defying brand of basketball, the late Avelino “Samboy” Lim will also be remembered for leading San Miguel Beer to the grand slam in the 1989 season of the Philippine Basketball Association.
Lim, who passed away two nights before Christmas after collapsing in an exhibition match nine years ago, was known for his gung-ho mentality and devil-may-care attitude that fueled the Beermen to emerge as second behind Crispa to complete a triple crown.
His winning attitude was on full display in a game against Purefoods on 18 July 1989.
Branded as “The Skywalker,” Lim was airborne behind Jojo Lastimosa when he was sandwiched by the defense of Nelson Asaytono and Jerry Codiñera.
Lim crashed hard as his temple hit the floor and blood started to flow. League medical staff took him to a nearby hospital.
But no amount of hard fall can break “The Skywalker.”
Lim came back stronger, helping the Beermen in wrapping up their second of their three titles in the 1989 season.
“He will surely be missed by the basketball fans who loved him because of his high-flying, acrobatic brand of basketball,” Norman Black, who was the coach of the Beermen’s grand slam squad, said, recalling his former player and good friend.
In the All-Filipino Conference finals that year, the Beermen met their familiar rivals — Purefoods.
With Black serving both as import and head coach, San Miguel had defeated Purefoods in their previous finals encounter in the 1988 Open Conference, 94-92.
But in their 1989 rematch, bad blood boils between the two squads as the Hotdogs will be facing their former superstar, Mon Fernandez, whom they traded to San Miguel in exchange for Abet Guidaben.
Aside from that, Lim was also determined to beat Purefoods due to the scary fall he suffered at the hands of the Asaytono and Codiñera.
Lim’s revenge came in jaw-dropping fashion in Game 3 when he soared from the baseline off the defense of Ponky Alolor. Purefoods slotman Jack Tanuan tried to help block his driving lane, but Lim responded with a spectacular up-and-under reverse layup that was comparable to what Julius Erving delivered in the 1980 National Basketball Association finals between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers.
The crowd roared with delight, giving him a reputation of being the most exciting player of his generation that helped the PBA soared to greater heights.
Even the PBA recognizes his contribution to Philippine basketball.
In fact, it held a moment of silence as a tribute to Lim before the second half of the game between San Miguel Beer and Phoenix Super LPG yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Samboy soared to great heights with his remarkable skills, electrifying the court and captivating fans with his unparalleled talent,” the PBA said in a statement shortly after Lim’s death was announced on his official social media page.
