Out of Samboy’s shadow

Jamie Christine Lim has had a remarkable and uncommon career. The 28-year-old daughter of the late PBA legend Samboy Lim has packed so much into her life since a young age. She’s been a national karate team multiple SEA Games gold medalist, studied math, is now thriving in data research and analytics, and has embarked on a multi-sport broadcasting career. Ironically, the progeny of the basketball and Atty. Lelen Berberabe was not inclined to start on this path.

“Actually, I did not want (to do karate),” she laughs. “It was Mommy and Daddy who wanted it for me, in the best way. If I didn’t do that, I wouldn’t be who I am today. I was good at basketball, but with 200 students in Dad’s basketball camp, I was the only girl. So they said try another sport instead.”

Jamie recalls as a young child how kind and gracious her father was with his time. They would constantly be stopped by fans in public for photos and autographs. Despite his immense fame, Jamie never felt jealous.

“I never felt bad, because he always had time for me,” she explains. “Between training and the fans, I never felt he was splitting his time. He always made sure he was there for me.”

The youngest Lim laughs at how Samboy used to sit up in the bleachers when she’d compete. He didn’t want to see his child hurt up close. But his presence made her tough and able to take on many challenges, particularly when her father was paralyzed. It was just her and her Mom taking on Samboy’s full-time care. 

In another happy twist, Jamie was asked to be San Miguel Beer’s muse at the start of the PBA’s 49th season. She found it hilarious trading in black eyes and bruises for make-up and high heels. And parading for her father’s old team made it much sweeter. Being under his tremendous shadow also helped open doors as she carves her own path as a PBA courtside reporter. Most of the coaches were contemporaries of Samboy, and the players, meanwhile, treat her with the utmost respect. Though her Dad’s gargantuan shadow is something she will never escape, Jamie Lim is carving her own unique path to greatness. Any parent would overflow with pride.