PBA legend Samboy 'The Skywalker' Lim collapses, rushed to hospital

MANILA, Philippines - Basketball legend Avelino "Samboy" Borromeo Lim Jr. was rushed to a hospital after collapsing during an exhibition game at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.

This was according to his colleague and former Philippine Basketball Association player Vince Hizon, who on Friday asked for prayers for the 52-year-old shooting guard also known as "The Skywalker."

Reports quoted fellow former PBA player Nelson Asaytano as saying that after Lim was pulled out from a game by coach Bogs Adornado, Lim did some stretching before he passed out.

The Skywalker was reportedly rushed to the Medical City in Pasig.

Lim, famous for his acrobatic shots, was named in 2000 as among PBA’s 25 greatest players. He retired in 1998 and became manager of several basketball teams.

Following his retirement, he found a basketball camp for all ages called The Samboy Lim Personalized Training. The camp’s online site says The Skywalker’s “desire is for everybody to excel in this sport.”

“What you will learn in this camp are his own moves, the same moves that made him one of the 25 Greatest Players of Philippine basketball and which also brought him to the PBA’s Hall of Fame. His passion in teaching is setting a standard that is totally different from the rest. Checking every step, every move, every detail—this is Skywalker basketball,” the site says.

source: interaksyon.com

Emerging Ginebra star Japeth Aguilar is NBA material, declares Asi Taulava

Japeth Aguilar provided one highlight after another for Barangay Ginebra San Miguel on Wednesday against Air 21, blocking eight shots and finishing several rim-rattling dunks.

He finished with 22 points and 12 rebounds and left his opponents a little starstruck.

“I have to tell the other guys to help me out to stop him. They’re enjoying watching him do those dunks,” said veteran Air 21 center Asi Taulava. “I have to tell them quit watching, it’s not film. He’s our opponent.”

The 40-year-old slotman, who played with Aguilar in the national team in the past, noted the huge improvement in the athletic forward’s psyche.

“He’s NBA material. A big guy who can run, block shots, making those dunks,” said Taulava. “His confidence is through the roof.”

For now, Aguilar is plying his wares in the PBA, and Taulava figures he will be a big headache for just about any team.

“We just have to figure out (how to play) against him. We cannot let him roam around the paint like that and block shots.”

source: interaksyon.com

1-0 lead over Ginebra a huge deal for Alaska, say veterans Dondon Hontiveros, Sonny Thoss

The Alaska Aces rode a hot start to cruise to an 87-70 victory over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in the opening match of the Commissioner’s Cup championship round Wednesday at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.

For Alaska’s veteran players, the 1-0 advantage is a huge deal in a short series.

“Sobrang laking bagay ng Game One sa best-of-five series kasi kapag nanalo ka ulit sa Game Two isa na lang champion ka na,” said guard Dondon Hontiveros.

“It’s huge winning first game of best-of-five series,” added center Sonny Thoss. “Game Two is going to be just important so we need to stay focused.”

Hontiveros said that Alaska was the fresher team heading into the series, and it showed in the opening period of Game One, which saw the Aces outscore the Gin Kings, 28-6.

“I think fatigue factor has something to do with Ginebra’s slow start. They’re coming off five games versus Talk ‘N Text which loves to run. Pero we played good defense on [Ginebra import Vernon] Macklin early in the game,” said Hontiveros.

The two men are wary of Ginebra’s trademark never-say-die spirit, which has allowed the Gin Kings to rebound from a 0-4 start in the conference before winning four do-or-die playoff games to reach the finals.

“Hindi pa rin dapat mag-relax kasi yung Ginebra capable of coming back just like they did in the third and fourth quarter,” said Hontiveros.

“Ginebra is gonna come out strong in Game Two,” added Thoss.

source: interaksyon.com