Samboy Lim

Two years ago, we all said our goodbyes to you. While your time on earth was cut short, you never left our hearts. Keep on soaring, Skywalker 🪽

Samboy Lim:
MEGASTAR Of the Future Or Could He LIVE UP to it?
Written by: Rhea F. Navarro
Sports Weekly Magazine (1985)

Samboy represents the character traits that make a CHAMPion which make people - friends and foes alike - gravitate towards him. This soft-spoken and shy, almost bashful, Caviteño is likewise very professional. He plays hard, practices hard, and does almost anything that his coach would ask him to do. According to Fred Reyes, "Samboy hasn't changed since the first time I met him. That was when we played in the intramurals in 1981 when he was a resident player of Letran. Ang ugali niya iisa, mahiyain pa rin at very humble pa unlike some players I know. He always asks questions kung ano pa ang kulang sa laro niya."

While some players have gone to so many ups and downs before winding up on the road to success, it was not actually a long and uphill climb to the top in Samboy's case. After being a resident player in 1981, he got his breaks in NCAA season '82, his first and trying season, his first bite of the big league. The guy is indeed quite lucky for in that season, Letran emerged as CHAMPion which was followed by one title after another in seasons '83 and '84.

Samboy's exceptional ability can be gauged by how much preparation Coach Orly Castelo of the Stags has rendered him whenever they played against the Knights. What does the latter say about Samboy? "I'll take him anytime kung puwede lang siya sa akin sa pro sa Tanduay. He'll definitely be an asset to my team. In fact among the collegiate players, he is the only one whom I consider as puwede na para sa PBA where he can either be a small forward or an off guard. The guy is exceptional really because 60% of our preparation was always geared on him, mabigat na player talaga kasi kung 25% pa lang ng play ng team is centered on you eh ibang klase ka talaga," he said.

How does he compare Samboy with Allan Caidic?

"Magkaiba sila ng play and style pero both of them are very good. However 1 consider Samboy as a more complete player in the sense na the latter has shooting (both of them have, I said) and may rebound and may drive pero he is lacking in defense," he avers.

Samboy, on his part, is amenable to the latter. Inspite of his seemingly endless potentials, his one big setback is his poor defensive wares. But there is always room for improvement. More so because he is one person who values his health like a treasured jewel and is highly disciplined. oThis clean living, fourth year management student believes that one - should know what his priorities in hife are:dFor him the most important things are his health, family, studies, and his basketball career.

Girls? "Well I have.lots of girl friends but I don't have a special someone now. I enjoy having lots of friends who I can turn to when I need them. Masaya pag maraming kaibigan eh!"

1984 saw Samboy brilliantly representing the country in various international meets. His impressive credentials include having played in the R.P. Youth squad in Seoul, South Korea last year where they ended up in third place. In the same year he was a member of the team that played in the Jones Cup, in the Bandar Seri Begawan Invitational in Brunei, and the most recent one where his prowess really shone - the Asian Interclub in Ipoh, Malaysia. In his stint there, Coach Ron Jacobs was all praises for his new protege. "He deserves to be in NCC team, he is a very good player as most people have claimed. He went beyond my expectations," Jacobs said of the guy.

With all these things going for him, does Samboy get pressured during a game? "Medyo ... pero kailangan ma-overcome ko iyon eh! Pero pag nasa loob na ako nawawala naman agad iyon eh! he countered.

A good player they say is one who always plays his best under any circumstances and Samboy has met this stand-ard. But in considering the greatness of a player the proper perspective must be taken. What must be considered is the capability of the players he has played with and against. To a certain extent, he has met this too. Despite these, Samboy is apparently unmoved by all the kudos heaped on his shoulders. The guy has remained so humble.

Nevertheless there is the danger that he might be overrated Such a tough and tall order for him. Can Avelino 'Samboy' Lim, Jr. live up to it? Can he carry it over in the years to come? Well, I believe the answer is ... DEFINITELY!

A Blessed 1st year in Heaven to my beloved brother, Samboy. When the Good Lord calls our loved ones home, HE leaves a gift of memories in exchange. Today, I’m sharing this story in honor of Samboy’s memory.

My brother was larger than life! His humility, generosity of spirit, compassion, and athleticism is legendary. The Skywalker played heads-up basketball because of his vertical leap. He could fly, almost like he had wings! His “wings” were invisible up till his wake at the Letran Chapel on December 28, 2023.

I was seated in the front pew with daughter Dani, when I took photographs and a video recording. Two days before our departure from Manila, I noticed images appeared inexplicably not just on the photos but also on the video.

See for yourselves, enlarge, zoom in on the photos and review the video. To me and the few friends, family who checked these out - they look like “wings” 🪽

Samboy loved Christmas - it was his favorite season of the year. May we be reminded of an angel named Samboy who profoundly touched so many lives.

And whenever a bell rings, an angel gets his wings 🪽

I miss you so much!
Love, Ate Coy

The Skywalker defied gravity with his aerial acrobatics Earth and is now flying in the heavens with God. Samboy was not only the Most Valuable Player (MVP), but he was also the Most Valuable Person. He was such a good human being, and we will miss him each and every day. Thank you to Chino Trinidad for catching Sam’s essence on and off the court!

| Samboy Inupuan Sa Ere Si Patrimonio

Salamat sa pagkakahuli sa frame na ito Ernie Sarmiento aka Erus Pix.

Eto sample na mga galaw na hindi lahat nagkaroon ng pagkakataon makita.