Jerom Lastimosa plans to put in more work as the rookie felt far from satisfied with his performance in his awaited PBA debut on Thursday night.
The Adamson product is looking to get in form ASAP as he felt a step slow in what was also his first game in several months due to an ACL injury.
“Nakikita ko sa sarili ko, wala ako sa kundisyon,” he said after Magnolia’s 118-100 victory over Blackwater in their Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup opener at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. “So, magpapakundisyon para next game, ready.”
It was understandable, since Lastimosa last played his first full game 17 months ago, or when he was part of the Gilas team that reestablished the Philippines’ rule over the Southeast Asian Games men’s basketball wars.
“Of course, naninibago pa kasi almost 17 months na hindi ako nakapaglaro ng basketball. And this is my first game, tapos pro pa,” he admitted.
“Malaking adjustment sa akin. Tsaka first play ko rito sa court na ‘to since nandito ako sa Manila,” he added, referring to the historic venue.
Yet Lastimosa played commendably in his first PBA outing, finishing with nine points on 4-of-9 shooting from the floor. He also had two rebounds, four assists, a steal, and a block each in the 24 minutes and 43 seconds he saw action.
Head coach Chito Victolero felt pleased with what he saw from the 26-year-old, whom they made the ninth overall pick of the 2024 Draft.
(C) PBA Images
“Worth the wait, kita naman natin eh,” he said. “Ayun ‘yung investment namin, even though hindi siya naglaro nung first conference. But he’s ready. And, I think we have a deep rotation right now doon sa guards namin.
“For his first game, it’s a thumbs up. But I think there’s a lot of upside with Jerom,” the champion mentor added. “Hopefully in the next few games maka-settle down si Jerom, tsaka ‘yung laro talaga niya eh maipakita niya.”
Lastimosa felt honored to have heard those words from his coach but deflected the credit to him for the way he delivered in his debut.
“Sobrang thankful lang ako lagi kay Coach Chito kasi as a rookie, sinabi niya sa akin before the PBA started, ‘di raw ako rookie para sa kanya,” he said.
“Parang beterano na raw ako maglaro and malaking contributor daw kaming dalawa ni Zav (Lucero). As a player, ‘di ko sinasayang ‘yung ganung opportunity.”
But as the native Dumaguete said, there’s still work that needs to be done, especially now that he’s just started his journey in the professional ranks.
“Actually, wala pa akong isang buwan na nagte-training sa Magnolia,” he disclosed. “Bale nag-aadjust pa ‘ko sa sistema, tsaka siyempre sa teammates ko, kung paano magiging pasok sa sistema ni Coach Chito.”
