Jerom Lastimosa is determined to play his final year for Adamson University in UAAP Season 86, despite suffering a knee injury during practice that will keep him out for the initial part of the Soaring Falcons’ campaign.
The 5-foot-11 point guard from Dumaguete City stated that he is already working twice as hard during his rehab sessions and aims to rejoin the team sometime in the first round.
“No matter what and whatever happens. Masabi ko lang talaga is maglalaro ako,” said Lastimosa.
“For now, I do aggressive rehab para sa tuhod ko and hopefully as early as now makabalik ako sa first round,” he added.
Lastimosa was nothing short of spectacular last season, leading Adamson to the Final Four for the first time since Season 81. However, the team was eventually eliminated by Ateneo following an 81-60 defeat.
The Asian College-Dumaguete product averaged 15.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 3.6 assists in Season 85.
Before injuring his knee, Lastimosa had a fruitful off-season after helping Gilas Pilipinas reclaim the gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, last May.
Lastimosa expressed his eagerness to apply the lessons he learned from playing with some of the country’s finest basketball players once he gets cleared to play.
“I’ve learned a lot from the vets lalong lalo na napasama ako sa Gilas madami akong natutunan. I think lahat ‘yun madadala ko this coming season,” said Lastimosa.