JEROM Lastimosa is wearing a jersey number at Magnolia different from what his fans dating back to his Adamson days were used to.
Lastimosa is donning the No. 30 with the Hotshots in his rookie season in the PBA because he idolizes Golden State Warriors superstar Steph Curry.
“Kaya ako naging 30 kasi no choice. Saka since idol ko naman si Steph. Wala ng 7, retired na din,” said Lastimosa.
The retired jersey number that he is referring to is no other than Rey Evangelista.
Evangelista played 14 years with the Purefoods franchise where he became known as a two-way player, his achievements as a member of the Hotdogs include being a four-time champion, a 2002 Governors’ Cup Best Player of the Conference, and a three-time All-Defensive Team.
READ: Magnolia's future set with Lucero, Lastimosa
Lastimosa knows a thing or two about retired jersey numbers.
At Adamson, Lastimosa got the rare distinction as the first player in Falcons history to have his jersey number retired. The man who wore jersey No. 7 helped the Falcons become a Final Four contender during the latter part of his five-season career with the university.
“Wala ka namang magagawa. Retired na ‘yun. Habambuhay hindi magagamit,” said Lastimosa on being unable to use No. 7 with Magnolia.
Like Curry, the 26-year-old Lastimosa is using outside shooting as one of his strengths. Through seven games with the Hotshots, Lastimosa is averaging 12.57 points – third-best with his team. Lastimosa has the greenlight to take outside shots, shooting 8-for-15 from threes and 3-for-18 from fours.
So far, so good for Lastimosa as he is also getting guidance from Magnolia veteran Mark Barroca in his rookie year in the PBA.
“Si Kuya Mark, ‘yung sinasabi niya lang sa akin is disiplina sa sarili. Kung paano siya nagtagal sa PBA, ganun din daw dapat ako. Halimbawa, sa food niya, sobrang healthy ng kinakain niya. Bata pa lang daw ako, gawin ko na,” said Lastimosa.
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