Will not go down without a fight

I loved basketball.

That’s right, I loved basketball. That is because I do not have much time to play anymore. And if I do, my mind tells me to follow the ball, but my body tells me otherwise. And so my basketball days are over.

But you cannot take basketball away from me. During my free time, I still watch and enjoy a game.

I used to play varsity basketball during my high school days. I guess those were the days when height was not a major consideration for the game. I was the youngest player to join our school team and I had the distinction of being the fastest, friendliest, most creative bench warmer ever.

The players I looked up to were Lim Eng Beng, who played for De la Salle University, and Atoy Co, who played for Mapua. I remember, when I was a kid, I would scrape up enough money to watch them play. But I was not cheering for their schools, I was cheering for them. These two players eventually graduated into the professional leagues. Co played for Crispa, while Lim played for Utex.

I have never formally met these two basketball legends in person, even if Lim Eng Beng and I were practically neighbors back when I was a kid. However, this changed last week when I got a Facebook message from Albert M G Garcia, who encouraged me to meet Beng. I quickly agreed.

Albert said, “Francis, you have to meet Beng and listen to his story, you will be inspired.”

Albert’s advice turned prophetic, my wife and I had coffee with Beng. I was so inspired and I learned many leadership lessons from this basketball legend.

Beng, at the height of his basketball career, was known as a raging bull. Unafraid, focused and disciplined. He led his entire team with the sole purpose of winning the gold.

Beng is a courageous warrior who would never back away from a fight.

Today, Beng is facing his most difficult fight: liver cancer.

But who would have thought? He carries a very pleasant expression, a great sense of humor and a warm personality.

These are the things I learned from Beng.

Beng: “Chinese friends call me ‘Eng-ah.’ My Filipino friends call me ‘Beng.’ You can call me “Eng Beng” and then he laughed heartily.

“So, how are you dealing with your health issues these days?” I asked.

Beng turned serious then answered, “When my doctor told me that I have cancer and that I only have three years -at most- to live, I was devastated. I could not sleep, I could not eat, and my body weight dropped. Then I got so depressed, in fact, so depressed that I was on the verge of taking my own life. It will only take me two seconds to end it. But then I saw my kids. I know that they are hurting from the inside. But they encouraged me despite of that, they made themselves strong for me. My kids, my wife and I are the reasons why I continue to live on.”

Then Beng said the words that resonated throughout the conversation: “I will not go down without a fight.” That’s the warrior spirit in him.

That is the “X” factor that made him a hall of famer in high school basketball, a hall of famer in college basketball and recently, a hall of famer in the professional league.

Beng said, “I will die for my children. I literally will. This is why I cannot understand how foolish and selfish couples are whenever they fight and some of them would even go as far as separation. They do not consider the welfare of their kids.”

Beng was then interrupted by a text sent by his daughter who works for a bank. Beng said, “Oh excuse me, it’s my daughter telling me she’s on her way home. Even though they are all grown ups, they still text me wherever they are so that I do not have to worry.”

Then I asked him about the most important leadership lesson he learned as a team captain. He answered, “As a leader, you need to prepare every person in the team for the game. You need to lead by example, show sacrifice and sincerely care.”

Beng said, “The beautiful thing about this condition of mine is that I get to know so many people who truly care.”

“The La Salle community cares. They helped me find a specialist in Singapore. This specialist is now in charge of my case.”

“My friends care. They all encouraged me to never give up the fight. This is why I want to be productive. I want to carry a positive mindset. I want to think happy thoughts and I want to encourage others who are going through the same situation, because I know what it feels like to be in this situation.”

There were so many leadership lessons I learned from this basketball legend whose number “14” jersey finally retired and became an inspiration for greatness and dedication.

We met for the first time, but it honestly felt like it wasn’t. Beng gave me permission to pray for him before we parted. We promised to meet up again and I am honestly looking forward to this.

Well, you can’t help but admire the guy.

When he said, “I will not go down without a fight,” I know he meant it.

Lim Eng Beng is not only a basketball legend, but also a leader in its genuine sense.

(Mark your calendars. Spend two inspiring days with Francis Kong learning leadership and life skills as he present Level Up Leadership on September 23-24 at EDSA Shangri-La Hotel. For further inquiries, contact Inspire at 09158055910 or call 632-6310912 for details.)