Jerom Lastimosa looks to make a full recovery from a left ACL injury and that could spell the difference in how his rookie year in the PBA will turn out.
The Adamson great said that he’s about “70 to 80-percent” healed from a partial tear he suffered back in October of last year, and reaching maximum health would only bring wonders to his upcoming stint with Magnolia.
“Sa ngayon, rehab lang ako,” he said during Sunday’s Season 49 Draft at the Glorietta Activity Center. “Sabi naman is nasa around 70 to 80 percent na ako.”
Lastimosa was the ninth overall pick by the Hotshots, sparking excitement among the club’s fans as the move injects youth into an aging backcourt.
Along with it comes intrigue, with some curious about how he would be delivering for the perennial contenders especially when he regains full health.
Prior to getting injured, Lastimosa garnered interest overseas, particularly from clubs based in Japan and Korea, due to his solid play for the Soaring Falcons in the UAAP – a stint best remembered for a Final Four trip in Season 85.
“Hindi ko ine-expect na Magnolia ‘yung magpi-pick sa akin. Sobrang blessed ako kasi sa lahat ng teams, ito ‘yung pinakamagandang napuntahan ko,” said the Dumaguete-native, whose jersey no. 7 was retired by his school.
Aside from the upside, the 26-year-old will be bringing with him the experience of a lifetime gained from a short stint with Gilas Pilipinas last year.
Lastimosa was part of the country’s own ‘Redeem Team’ that regained the Southeast Asian Games gold medal in Cambodia.
The 5-foot-11 playmaker believes that his national team campaign during the 32nd Southeast Asian Games is what could set him apart from the other classmen of this year’s draft.
“Siguro ‘yung advantage ko roon is ‘yung experience ko na nakapaglaro ako roon,” he said.
“Nakaharap na ako ng mga iba’t-ibang players sa international, so siguro ‘yun ‘yung advantage ko sa ibang players dito.”
