SMC sets record straight on Samboy

DID SAMBOY Lim lapse into a coma, following a massive stroke, feeling betrayed?

This had to be asked after word  came out of Samboy’s hospital room that the legendary basketball wonder worker suffered an emotional wound after he was fired from his prestigious post in the Ginebra team.

A previous report here on the case has raised speculations about Samboy’s fate.

The San Miguel Corp., owner of the Ginebra team in the PBA, has sent in the following official statement:

* * *

This refers to your column of Jan. 4, 2015, that mentioned the condition of Samboy Lim, a valued member of San Miguel Beer’s champion team.

Like all basketball fans and former colleagues, we were devastated to learn that he went into coma after he collapsed during a basketball game with fellow PBA legends last month.

A few years after Samboy’s retirement, he and other former PBA players were contracted by SMC in 2003 to form the SMC All Stars, which aims to provide, even for just a few years, livelihood opportunities and additional income to unemployed ex-PBA players. This team conducted basketball clinics and played exhibition games with local teams in provinces.  After its disbandment in 2006, Samboy and some of the SMC All Stars members were rehired on an annual contract basis to be part of SMC’s PBA teams management coaching staff.

* * *

Following the realignment of coaching and team personnel in our three PBA and one ABL teams to find the right mix and streamline SMC’s basketball operations, Samboy and the others who will be affected were duly informed of this pending developments months before it was to take effect.  We met those concerned in our SMC office, including Samboy, when we finally announced the reorganization. Some opted not to renew their contracts while others transferred to other non-SMC PBA teams. There was no unceremonious sacking of Samboy, and his wife Lelen Berberabe-Lim can attest to this. All benefits due him as per his contract which expired December of 2013, including won game bonuses, entering bonuses and 13th month pay were given to him.

During this time and until now, we are in touch with Samboy’s wife Lelen for whatever assistance we can provide for his recovery.

I thank you for your concern for Samboy, as he is always in the prayers of his San Miguel family and, like all basketball-loving Filipinos, we hope for his continuous recovery.

ROBERT M. NON
Head, SMC Basketball Operations