Jerom Lastimosa found himself in yet another unlucky endgame situation after a costly turnover hurt Magnolia’s chances in Friday night’s Manila Clasico bout.
The sophomore guard tried to dish a bail-out pass after being ganged up by the Ginebra defense upon penetrating to the basket, but the ball landed to none of his teammates, and was instead intercepted by opposing big Norbert Torres.
Eventually, the Hotshots bowed to a 91-89 decision, spoiling their bid to win a third straight game in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup as well.
“Ang first option talaga nun, kung open lang ako,” said Lastimosa when asked about the play moments after the loss at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, in which a good crowd showed up.
“Kaso, hindi ako open eh.”
It was actually an after-timeout play, and it was quite evident early that head coach LA Tenorio tasked the youngster to take the ball and drive to the cup.
But apparently, the Kings read the situation well. Nards Pinto caught up with Lastimosa defensively before Scottie Thompson provided the help.
“Nandun kasi si Scottie, nag-help sa baseline,” he admitted as the one-time Most Valuable Player was near the rim, making it all the more difficult for him.
#WATCH: WHAT SHOULD’VE HAPPENED IN THIS PLAY? 🏀
Here is the final possession of Magnolia in its #ManilaClasico clash against Ginebra#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/fAE877bbVX
📹 @justinebacnis/ Tiebreaker Times#PBA50 pic.twitter.com/EhP2fBYmCX
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) April 10, 2026
Nearby was Zavier Lucero, who tried to go after him and ran downhill, but Justin Brownlee was also in the direction where the playmaker out of Adamson University went. That left the latter with no choice but to pass the ball.
However, none of the other Hotshots–namely Lee, Clint Chapman, and Mark Barroca–cut to the basket nor flared to the corner, and the ball sailed directly to the way of Torres, who was then fouled by Barroca to stop the clock.
“Wala rin kasi akong ma-bailout pass. Pero ano talaga ‘yun, dapat may magfe-flare doon sa corner,” explained Lastimosa, who had 11 points.
But then, there’s no finger-pointing whatsoever among the group, with their sights now set on a quick turnaround as they face San Miguel this Sunday.
And that’s going to be a battle between hungry sides, with the Beermen coming off a 112-116 defeat to Jaylen Johnson and Rain or Shine just last Wednesday.
“We’ll play against a champion team. Sa ngayon, relax muna kami pagkauwi. Pero bukas ensayo, paghahandaan namin ‘yung San Miguel,” said the former Gilas member.
“View some clips, kung anong dapat i-scheme namin.”
#WATCH: SI COACH LA LANG MAKAKASAGOT NUN 🏀
Jerom Lastimosa explains the botched final play that led to Magnolia’s loss to Ginebra#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/fAE877bbVX
📹 @justinebacnis /Tiebreaker Times#PBA50 pic.twitter.com/Ixz8CrtUOg
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) April 10, 2026
