Skywalker Samboy Lim’s statue rises in Valenzuela

A statue in honor of Samboy Lim, one of the PBA's 40 Greatest Players, has been put up in Valenzuela City.

According to Chino Trinidad's report on “24 Oras”, the statue was unveiled as Lim continued his fight to fully recover after suffering a stroke in in 2014.

Lim, who earned the moniker The Skywalker for his high-leaping ability and hang time moves, collapsed in an exhibition game of PBA Legends four years ago.

He slipped out of the coma in 2015 and has since been under home care.

Lim's wife, Darlene Berberabe, and daughter Jamie thanked Lim's fans for the heartwarming gesture.

“Kayong mga taga-Valenzuela, kayo ang idol niya, lumalaban po si Skywalker. Hindi pa lang po siya nakakakita, hindi pa siya nakakapagsalita pero nakakarinig, nakakaintindi, tumatawa pagka- nakakatawa ang kuwento o umiiyak,” Berberabe said.

'Yung [mga] fans po [niya], mahal na mahal po talaga siya. Never ending [po ang] support,” Lim's daughter added.

Lim's friend and fellow basketball star Allan Caidic, also one of the PBA's 40 Greatest Players Allan Caidic, for his part, was not surprised that the fans revere Lim to this day.

"Napakatahimik niyan [ni Samboy] pero pagdating sa court, talagang mabangis. Daredevil kung 'dumrive',” Caidic said.

Lim, a nine-time PBA Champion, also won four medals as a member of the Philippine Team in 1984 FIBA Asia Champions Cup (gold), 1985 FIBA Asia Championship (gold), 1986 Seoul Asian Games (bronze) and 1990 Asian Games (silver).

Lim's jersey no. 9 has also been retired by this PBA team San Miguel Beermen. —Llanesca T. Panti/NB, GMA News