When they played together for the Philippine team under Northern Consolidated Cement back in the 1980s, Samboy Lim was a fearless high-flying bucket-getter, thus the moniker Skywalker. Chip Engelland, meanwhile, was the team's reinforcement, mostly assigned to shoot the lights out.
More than three decades later, the two legendary cagers got together once again, albeit under different circumstances.
At the moment, Lim is still on the road to recovery after suffering a heart attack in 2014. As for Engelland, he returned to the Philippines for the FIBA World Cup as part of the Team USA coaching staff. On Sunday, veteran sports journalist Quinito Henson took to social media to share the emotional reunion between the Philippine basketball luminaries.
“A touching visit by Chip Engelland to show his love & concern for former teammate Samboy Lim! Everyone was teary-eyed including Samboy as Chip held his hand, kissed him & repeatedly said ‘I love you, brother.’ Iba ang pusong Pinoy & Chip is truly a Pinoy at heart,” Henson wrote for a caption.
In a separate post over on X (formerly Twitter), the Dean disclosed a message that the American shooting coach had for his friend. Perhaps it was the ultimate praise Lim could have received from a basketball standpoint. After all, Engelland has been around some of the best basketball players in the world, past and present.
“Chip said Samboy would’ve made it to NBA & in todays era, a slightly taller Samboy would be an NBA shoo-in,” Henson posted.
Engelland wasn’t saying things without credence. The Skywalker was a bad man back in his heyday. The athleticism and skill set he possessed was truly ahead of their time.
(GM)