All-time great Lim Eng Beng; 64

Lim Eng Beng, one of Philippine basketball’s all-time greats, died yesterday morning after battling liver cancer for two years. He was 64.

A 5-foot-11 shooting guard, Lim was named to the PBA’s 25 Greatest Players in 2000 and also inducted to the pro league’s Hall of Fame in 2013.

Lim won two PBA championships with the U-Tex Wranglers in 1978 and 1980 and also suited up for Concepcion-Carrier, San Miguel, Crispa, Shell and Manila Beer in 12 seasons in the pros.

A prolific 40-point shooter in his varsity days, Lim had also been recognized by his alma mater La Salle as one of its all-time best players. He was inducted into its Sports Hall of Fame in 1998.

“Your legacy will forever remain in the hearts of many,” La Salle said in a statement Monday.

Lim, whose jersey No. 14 had also been retired by La Salle, won two championships when he starred for the Green Archers from 1971 to 1974. He still holds the NCAA record for most points scored in a single game with 55.

La Salle moved to the UAAP in 1986.

In his final interview with the Inquirer last April, Lim said La Salle had been among those that helped finance his regular treatments in Singapore, where he underwent regular chemotherapy and checkups.

Lim said depression hit him following his diagnosis in 2013, but soon found solace from his family and friends.

“I couldn’t accept it,” Lim said then. “How can I be so sick when I felt so well. For four months, I wallowed in self-pity, thinking of nothing but my seemingly hopeless condition.

“I felt so depressed it came to a point I contemplated committing suicide,” he added. “I wanted to jump from the top floor of a tall building. [But eventually] I found out how many friends I had, how many people loved me.”