Lim Eng Beng tells Rappler his story When I was 5 or 6 years old, we were staying in a squatter’s area in Tondo, Manila. I came from a very, very poor family. Basketball changed my life. I never took advantage of La Salle, all I asked for was a scholarship. And I gave La Salle everything they wanted – championships, whatever. I gave them two championships, two 3rd places. Which is not a very bad record for La Salle. There was only one dream that I had. I’m telling you now, I never tell anybody. I wanted to give a house and lot to my family, especially to my parents. I couldn’t face my father and mother. I could have asked it from La Salle, but I could never do that, I’m not that kind of player. All I wanted was to win championships – and a house and lot. That’s what I sacrificed for La Salle. I want to tell you all that I have not only sacrificed myself physically and emotionally during the time in 1974 playing for La Salle. I sacrificed two house and lots for La Salle. In 1973, before the ‘74 season, I was offered by Crispa a house and lot in exchange for leaving La Salle. It was in Quezon City, in Apple Street. And I loved La Salle so much, I turned down the house and lot. Not only that, as season 1974 went on, the championship game was between La Salle-Ateneo. A syndicate offered me a house and a lot to throw the game. And I still turned down the house and lot. I gave La Salle a championship. I’m saying this now because my time is limited already. The doctor gave me three years to live. If I had never been diagnosed with cancer, I wouldn’t have given up basketball. It’s in my blood. The time I was playing for La Salle, up to when I retired, up to the present time, I never let down La Salle. I always make sure everything that I do would make La Salle proud. That’s why I’m still surviving now, because of my attitude of being a La Sallite. I did not let down La Salle without a fight. Now I have to fight up to the last seconds of my life. I will not go down without a fight.
Posted on: Fri, 21 Nov 2014 06:44:59 +0000
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