PBA legend Samboy Lim passes away, 61

Philippine basketball legend Avelino 'Samboy' Lim has passed away on Saturday. He was 61 years old.

The news was announced on his official Facebook page.

"Today, December 23, 2023, our dearly beloved Samboy passed away peacefully," the caption of the post said.

"A man of Faith, exceptional courage, humility and grace. He embodied the very best of humanity. The Skywalker was 61."

According to the post, during his final moments, Lim was taken care of by his family, including Atty. Darlene Berberabe and daughter Jamie, and friends such as Allan Caidic and Robert Evangelista.

A member of the PBA's 25 Greatest Players list, Lim collapsed and suffered a heart attack on November 28, 2014 during an exhibition match. He slipped into comatose and regained consciousness on January 2015. 

"We thank Samboy’s amazing team of doctors headed by Dr. Luigi Segundo, physical therapists, nurses, caregivers, family and friends who, for the last 9 years, took excellent care of him," the post said.

"Please pray for Samboy. He needs our prayers as we commend his soul to the loving arms of our Lord God. Please have mercy on Samboy and grant him everlasting peace. Amen," it added.

Lim was a nine-time PBA champion as he played for the San Miguel Beermen from 1986 to 1997. Aside from the 25 Greatest Players list, Lim was also named in the 40 Greatest Players list.

He also was a part of the national team which won the silver medal in the 1990 Beijing Asian Games, and bronze medal in the 1986 Seoul Asian Games. He had a gold medal from the 1985 FIBA Asia Championship, and 1983 and 1985 editions of the Southeast Asian Games.

Lim was a product of Colegio de San Juan de Letran where he had three NCAA championships in 1982, 1983, and 1984.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News