Jerom Lastimosa was reportedly out of the UAAP Season 85 when he dislocated the big toe on his right foot against University of the Philippines on November 2 before the FIBA break.
Then he made his shock return on November 20 when Adamson University defeated University of the East, 74-64. However, it was just a 30-second run for the Falcons’ leader.
After that, Lastimosa played his usual minutes and just showed up to lift Adamson into the Final Four.
His streak of performances earned him two Collegiate Press Corps Player of the Week recognitions – the only player to win the award twice this season.
Given his heroics, his name often floats in conversations over the best point guard at the collegiate level right now.
Then Soaring Falcons head coach Nash Racela wondered – why is his top guard not in the conversation for a spot in Gilas Pilipinas pool?
“Actually yun ang tanong ko eh, bakit si Jerom Lastimosa not part of the Gilas pool? I’ve been itching to tweet about. Nobody talks about Jerom Lastimosa kapag Gilas ang pinag-uusapan,” said the second-year Adamson bench tactician.
“I always read he’s the best daw point guard in college basketball. If he really is the best one, why is he not part of the pool of Gilas?” continued Racela.
If there is one man who knows full well the capabilities of Lastimosa, it’s Racela.
And for the decorated mentor, the guard out of Dumaguete has the ability to surprise people in Gilas.
“That’s just a question I have… I always think about that. I’m proud of him and his achievements. I also feel that he deserves a spot or at least for them to look at him,” said the Falcons coach.
“They will be surprised actually, baka magulat sila.”
For Lastimosa, if he gets the chance to be part of the national team program, he will be ready to rock the colors of the Philippines.
“Kung imbitahin akom, edi mas maganda yun. Kung hindi naman, wala naman yun sa akin,” said Lastimosa.
“Kapag kinuha man nila ako, siyempre iga-grab ko yung opportunity na yun and hindi ko hahayaan na mawala yun. Syempre para yun sa bayan natin.”
