PBA great Lim Eng Beng is proud to have lived and played in an era when Filipino players are considered wiser and better shooters.
Not to take anything away from today’s generation, but the 61-year-old former La Salle hotshot believes it was one major advantage players of his time had against the current crop of PBA stars.
“We are better shooters and better (thinking) players,” Lim told Spin.ph on Monday night as he watched the action from ringside at the Smart Araneta Coliseum during the do-or-die encounter between Rain or Shine and Barangay Ginebra.
“They (today’s players) are strong and have the speed, but we are better than them, no doubt.”
Lim had a stellar 11-year career in the PBA where he played from 1975 to 1986 for teams such as Concepcion Industries, U-Tex, San Miguel, Crispa, and Manila Beer.
He was a key player in U-tex's two championship teams and was named to the Mythical Five in 1978. Beng was also a member of the 5,000-point club and had a career average of 14.1 points in 416 games.
The man who holds the all-time scoring record in a single NCAA seniors game (55 points) admitted he misses the time when he was still playing in Asia’s first ever pro league especially when he watches today’s games either live or on TV.
“Of course, siyempre (I miss playing in the PBA),” said the combo guard, whose presence at the Big Dome was acknowledged just before the start of second-half action between the Kings and Elasto Painters.
“But nothing lasts forever. We have to move on to other things in life.”
Lim was recently diagnosed with liver cancer, but he looked in fine shape and was in high spirits as he watched from ringside.
He was special assistant to Rain or Shine co-team owner Terry Que until his health problem forced him to resign from his job. Yet on this night, he was there to show his support to his longtime friend as he silently cheered at ringside for the Elasto Painters.
Lim, who won an NCAA championship with La Salle in 1971 and whose No. 14 jersey was retired in his honor by the Taft-based school, said he will forever cherish the day when he was named as one of the 25 Greatest Players in PBA history.
“My most memorable experience in the PBA is when I was inducted as one of the 25 Greatest (PBA) Players,” he said.
“It's my best achievement.”
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