Press Release - Jinggoy: Samboy Lim's accomplishments merit Senate recognition

FOR exemplifying his boundless passion for the sport and exhibiting the ideals of sportsmanship on the court, Senator Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada said Philippine basketball's "The Skywalker," the late Avelino "Samboy" Lim, merits the recognition of the Senate.

Estrada underscored this in Senate Resolution No. 911 expressing the Senate's sympathy and condolences on the passing of the basketball legend, named one of the 25 greatest players in Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) history, last December 23 at the age of 61.

"His love and dedication to the sport as demonstrated by his outstanding performances exhilarated fans, inspired generations of athletes, and contributed immensely to the growth of Philippine basketball," the senator said.

Lim earned the nickname "The Skywalker" due to his gravity-defying moves and high-flying plays on the court during the 1980s and 1990s. He was the first recipient of the PBA Sportsmanship Award in 1993 for embodying the ideals of sportsmanship- ethical behavior, fair play and integrity. In 2016, the award was renamed as the Samboy Lim PBA Sportsmanship Award in honor of his contributions to the sport.

The basketball legend built a stellar collegiate career and steered Colegio de San Juan de Letran into attaining three consecutive championships in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) where he was named as Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1984.

Two years after, he joined San Miguel basketball team and spent his entire 11-year PBA professional stint with the celebrated franchise, where he won for the team nine championships, including a rare Grand Slam in 1989.

He also secured five PBA All-Star appearances, two PBA Mythical Second Team Selection.

When he became a member of the national basketball teams to represent the country in numerous international competitions, he brought honor and pride by winning gold medals in the 1983 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Singapore, 1985 SEA Games in Bangkok and 1985 Asian Basketball Confederation (ABC) Championship title in Kuala Lumpur; silver medal in the 1990 Asian Games in Beijing; and bronze medal in 1986 Asian Games in Seoul.

His passion for the sport did not cease following