A COUPLE of his coaches and teammates during his Adamson days were in the stands when Jerom Lastimosa played his first PBA game.
Falcons head coach Nash Racela, longtime assistant Ry Betia, and deputy Wilfrey Magbuhos led the delegation that came out to support their former star when Magnolia went up against Blackwater on Thursday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Also in the stands for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup game were Lastimosa’s former teammates Joem Sabandal and Vince Magbuhos as well as Lastimosa’s girlfriend Kylla.
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“We want to give him support in his first game back from injury,” said Racela, who took time to watch the PBA while in the middle of Adamson’s preparations for the UAAP Season 87 Final Four against top-seed La Salle.
“Of course, very happy and very proud of him.”
Racela hasn’t been to a lot of PBA games since he was unceremoniously replaced as Blackwater coach in 2021, with his only appearance happening to support his brother Olsen in a Barangay Ginebra game where their mother was also there.
Racela said they know how special it is for Lastimosa to come back after what he went through after he suffered an ACL injury in his final season with the Falcons.
“We know what he went through. It was not easy especially during his stint with Adamson. But of course, he did his part in the recovery,” said Racela.
“I think 10 to 12 months din ang hinintay niya. I think he deserves to be on the floor. I’m happy that we are seeing him play actual minutes in the PBA,” said Racela.
The Dumaguete City-born Lastimosa had a solid showing in his first official match in 17 months as he had nine points, two rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block in 24 minutes and 43 seconds of play.
Racela feels the No. 9 pick in the PBA 49th Season draft is a perfect fit for the Hotshots.
“Bagay na bagay siya sa Magnolia. Nako-control niya ‘yung game eh. It’s something that not many people see na akala nila explosive scorer si Jerom, but he is really a good point guard. He is playing his role pretty well,” said Racela.
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