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MANILA, Philippines – Former San Beda head coach Frankie Lim paid an emotional tribute to his player, Sudan Daniel, who died the day after Christmas from an asthma attack.
Lim led the Red Lions to four NCAA titles from 2007 to 2011, including a perfect 18-0 season in 2010 when Daniel won Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year honors.
“Su is a player you want to have on your team. I think SBU is lucky to have a player like Sudan,” Lim said. “He works hard in training and gives it his all in the game.”
“He’s only averaging 22 minutes per game, but he’ll give you great numbers. I don’t think we can make the sweep in 2010 without Su.”
Lim, who left San Beda before the 2012 NCAA season, recalled how he came close to sending Daniel home in 2009, but the player made a “total change” and proved himself worthy of the coach’s trust. Daniel went on to anchor his title run the following year.
“Ask anyone on the team, including me, we’ll go through hell and come back to Su again and again,” Lim said.
For Lim, what made Daniel so special was that he embodied excellence both on and off the court. He called the American part of his family, the “kuya” not just of the Red Lions, but even of Lim’s own children.
“He was our adopted son,” said the coach. “He was a constant figure not only at our celebrations, but also at regular lunches and dinners.”
Daniel was also well loved in the Bedan community and an exemplary student-athlete; Lim praised his efforts to teach children about basketball. “He is also very loved by them, not only because he was a great teacher, but he is teaching from experience,” he said.
“Sudan’s death is a tragedy for our family,” Lim said.
Daniel was only 33 years old and had celebrated his birthday on December 17. He spent the holidays with two of his former colleagues, Anthony and David Semerad.
After his death, Daniel’s former teammates at San Beda paid tribute to his “older brother”, the “Superman” who took care of them both on and off the court. Several other players, including former TNT importer KJ McDaniels, also expressed their devastation over Daniel’s sudden passing.
Lim, in her tribute to her former player, focused on the happy memories they shared.
“He stayed in the Philippines after graduating because he loved being here. He wanted to play here, finish his studies and work here. It was a blessing for many of us that we had the opportunity to meet him,” he said. Lim.
“He was very nice, had a good sense of reality and worked hard. He lit up every room he was in.” “We are very proud of how Su lived her life. Her first job, her daughter and her love life.”
“We are very proud of the man he became, he took very good care of himself and those around him until the end.”
Daniel’s sudden passing is “very devastating” for Lim and his family, the coach said, but he promises to give back his former player in the best way he knows how.
“Su would always tell us, ‘I’ll cover your back,'” recalls Lim. “Now, it is our time to have yours. Take care of us, SUPERman. We are so proud of you. You will never be forgotten.”
