Jerom Lastimosa — PHILIPPINE STAR/RUSSELL PALMA
INJURED Adamson star Jerom Lastimosa emerged from knee surgery after his second-round injury ended his stellar University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) career.
In his social media his first public post since Adamson’s exit in the UAAP Season 86, Lastimosa thanked supporters following the end of his five-year run with the Falcons.
“Maraming salamat sa limang taon, Adamson. Coaches, bosses, klasmeyts, at sa buong UAAP community, walang Jerom Lastimosa kung wala kayo,” he said.
Mr. Lastimosa suffered a torn ACL late in the second round of the eliminations in November but delayed his surgery to be with the team until their last game. He played in the dying seconds of Adamson’s 70-48 loss to Ateneo in a knockout playoff, missing the Final Four.
The Dumaguete native was sen in by head coach Nash Racela in the final moments, thus capping his career with a three at the buzzer, much to the delight of both the Falcon and Blue Eagle fans. He only went under the knife this month, signaling the start of his long recovery before turns pro.
“JL7 signing off,” he said in his post.
Mr. Lastimosa’s Falcon highlights included a heroic performance in Season 85 after an 80-76 win over La Salle in a knockout duel.
His exploits in the UAAP also paved the way for his Gilas Pilipinas debut in the Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia, where he played a pivotal part as the Nationals completed redemption for the gold medal. — John Bryan Ulanday