PSA fetes Caidic, Lim with Lifetime Achievement Award

MANILA, Philippines —  Two cage greats and three champion coaches, all legendary in their own rights, are the latest batch to be feted with a Lifetime Achievement Award in the annual San Miguel Corp. Philippine Sportswriters Association (SMC-PSA) Awards Night on Jan. 29.

Hoop icons Allan Caidic and the late Avelino “Samboy” Lim join basketball’s brilliant minds Dante Silverio, Joe Lipa and Arturo Valenzona in being honored by the country’s sportswriting fraternity for their immense personal contributions in enriching Philippine basketball.

All four awardees along with Lim’s family, represented by his widow Atty. Darlene Berberabe and daughter, karate champion Jamie Lim, are expected to add nostalgia in the formal gathering at the grand ballroom of the Diamond Hotel as they recall their heydays while still playing and coaching the game.

Their recognition comes on the night the oldest media organization in the Philippines headed by its president Nelson Beltran, sports editor of The Philippine STAR, salutes Gilas Pilipinas for ending 61 years of waiting by winning the elusive basketball gold in the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

Gilas Pilipinas will be accorded with the President’s Award during the blue-ribbon event presented by the 24/7 sports app in the country ArenaPlus, with Philippine Sports Commission, Philippine Olympic Committee, Cignal, Milo, and PLDT/Smart as major sponsors, and the Philippine Basketball Association, Premier Volleyball League, Rain or Shine, and 1-Pacman party-list Rep. Mikee Romero as other backers.

Caidic, Lim, Lipa, Valenzona, and Silverio all had their separate time serving the national men’s team in the past.

Lim and Caidic formed part of NCC’s glorious basketball program which won the 1985 Jones Cup and the 1985 FIBA Asia Championship. Even after the NCC disbandment, the two continued to represent the country in international tournaments.