Jerom Lastimosa after injury is perfect and setting up GRAND goals in time at Magnolia

MANILA — Jerom Lastimosa is set to embark on a new journey in the PBA.

The 5-foot-11, Dumaguete native will be suiting up for the Magnolia Hotshots after he was drafted ninth overall in last month’s 2024 Rookie Draft, and he said that they have treated him dearly since he officially joined the squad.

“Sobrang ganda ng experience ko. Three weeks na ko sa training, ‘di pa ako kasali sa laro talaga kasi nga nasa recovery pa ako. Pero maganda kasi kahit rookie lang ako, pantay lang yung tingin nila sa akin,” said the former Adamson University star during the league’s Media Day earlier this week.

Lastimosa is still recovering from the full anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear on his left knee which he suffered during his last year in the UAAP, but he bared that he has already made great strides towards going back to full strength.

“For now, nagre-rehab na ako ng very aggressive. Siguro mga around 80% na ako. Hopefully, by October, makapag drills na ako then by November, kasama na sa training and makalaro na sa next conference,” said the 2023 Southeast Asian Games gold medalist.

“Sa ngayon, yung knee ko pinapalakas pa lalo kasi yun daw ang importante pag galing sa ACL. Wala pa akong talon, talagang buhat lang,” added Lastimosa, who also said that adding more motivation for him is the trust and the patience that the Chito Victolero-coached squad has given him.

“Mentally, kailangan mo talagang mag sipag. Boring siya, pero you have to do it every day sa rehab. Ang pinaghuhugutan ko yung trust ng team na ‘to. Sinabi nila sa akin na willing to wait sila sa akin.”

“Ako naman, ‘di ko pinapabayaan yung recovery ko,” he added.

Aside from this, the former Gilas Pilipinas guard is also preparing for the eventual passing of the torch from Magnolia stars Mark Barroca and Paul Lee, especially since the long-time Hotshots guards are already in their advanced playing years.

“Sila kuya Mark Barroca, Paul Lee, marami nang advice para sa akin. Ang advice nila sa akin, pagbalik ko dapat trabaho na ako. Kasi nga, iniisip ko rin na hindi na sila magtatagal so parang next point guard na ako sa team.”

But above all, what the 26-year-old is getting ready for is the pressure that Victolero has put on him — being Magnolia’s next franchise player.

“It’s gonna be a challenge for me kasi nga Coach Chito told me na wala nang ibang magpo-point guard dito soon pag mawala na sila,” Lastimosa bared.

“Parang sabi lang niya na the next franchise player daw, ‘yun daw ang nakikita nila sa akin. Binibigyan nila ako ng pressure, but okay naman sa akin yung mga ganun.”

“‘Di ko naman hinahayaang mawala yung mga ganung opportunities,” he continued.

On a lighter note, Lastimosa — who previously had his No.7 jersey retired by the Soaring Falcons — explained the reason why he is now using the No.30 in the PBA.

Jerom Lastimosa with his No.30 Magnolia jersey. Photo from Facebook/Jerom Lastimosa.“Pagkapili ko ng No.7, retired daw kay Rey Evangelista. Pero since idol ko rin naman si Steph Curry, yun na lang napili ko. Yung ibang numbers medyo hindi ko rin bet,” he said with a smile.