JEROM Lastimosa waited 17 long months for this moment to come.
On Thursday, Lastimosa finally played a full official basketball game since a serious injury dating back to his college days when he suited up for Magnolia in his first PBA outing during the Commissioner’s Cup.
The No. 9 pick in the 49th season draft not only played but had a respectable showing when he had nine points, two rebounds four assists, one steal, and one block in the Hotshots’ 118-100 win over Blackwater.
READ Magnolia looks good with Ratliffe in opening win over Blackwater
“Naninibago pa kasi almost 17 months na hindi ako nakapaglaro ng basketball,” said Lastimosa. “This is my first game tapos pro pa ‘yung laro ko. Malaking adjustment.”
The year 2023 was supposed to be a banner year for Lastimosa as he was part of the gold medal-winning Gilas Pilipinas team at the Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia in May while in the middle of his preparation for his final year with Adamson in the UAAP.
However, an injury kept him out of the first-round hostilities of the UAAP Season 86. He returned in October for a game against the UP Maroons but the comeback proved short-lived as he tore his ACL again. He only saw action for a few seconds in his farewell game for Adamson before shutting down for good.
Learning his lesson, the Adamson guard said he was patient in his recovery period, which was why it took him this long to come back.
“Doon sa 17 months na ‘yun, talagang pulido ‘yung recovery ko. Unang-una sa Adamson ako nagre-recover. Tapos after nung na-draft ako sa Magnolia, inalagaan ako sa Transcend which is ‘yun ‘yung nagha-handle sa Magnolia. Sobrang galing,” said Lastimosa.
Magnolia coach Chito Victolero was happy with the performance of Lastimosa in his first game back, adding that the wait was worth it for a player who the Hotshots selected from the rookie draft while still undergoing rehab.
And Victolero said the sky is the limit for the Dumaguete-born player.
“Worth the wait because nakita naman natin na ‘yun ‘yung investment namin. Hindi siya naglaro sa first conference but he is ready. Right now, we have a deep rotation in our guards. Jerom, for his first game, it’s a thumbs-up,” said Victolero.
“But I think there’s a lot of upside with Jerom. Hopefully, in the next few games, maka-settle down si Jerom at ‘yung laro talaga niya, mapakita niya,” the Magnolia coach said.
When told about Victolero’s positive words, Lastimosa said he is only repaying the trust given him since he was drafted despite still being injured.
“Sobrang thankful ako kay coach Chito. As a rookie, sinabi niya sa akin before the PBA started na hindi daw ako rookie para sa kanya. Beterano na daw ako maglaro at malaking contributor kami ni Zav (Lucero). As a player, hindi ko ‘yun sinasayang,” said Lastimosa.
Lastimosa, however, admitted he is still adjusting to the ways of Magnolia.
“Actually, wala pa akong isang buwan na nagte-training so nag-aadjust pa ako sa sistema at siyempre sa teammates ko, kila Ricardo (Ratliffe) kung paano kami papasok sa sistema,” said Lastimosa.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
