Philippine basketball has lost a legend.
Avelino “Samboy” Lim of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) passed away Saturday, December 23, his family announced on his Facebook page.
He was 61.
“A man of faith, exceptional courage, humility, and grace. He embodied the very best of humanity. The Skywalker was 61," Lim’s family said.
His family thanked his team of doctors who took care of him for the last nine years.
“Heaven gained an angel just in time for Christmas. We love you, Samboy. Thank you for loving all of us unconditionally. No more pain nor suffering! Goodbye for now. You will be in our hearts forever,” they added.
Lim, who played in the PBA from 1986 to 1997, also won two gold medals in the Southeast Asian Games in 1983 and 1985, a bronze medal in 1986, and a silver medal in 1990 in the Asian Games. His career in basketball was marked by "daredevil" acrobatic moves that earned him the moniker "The Skywalker."
However, his health started worsening in 2014 after he collapsed in an exhibition basketball game with former colleagues. He went and survived episodes of coma, but his condition made him bedridden.
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