Jerom Lastimosa’s UAAP career ends with ACL injury

MANILA, Philippines — Jerom Lastimosa will stay with the Adamson Soaring Falcons until their final UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball game despite suffering a full ACL tear in his left knee.

Adamson athletic director Fr. Aldrin Suan, CM bared that Lastimosa suffered a season-ending injury as shown by his MRI results on Saturday.

“I received the medical record last night confirming that Jerom has a full tear in his ACL,” said Suan, who joined Lastimosa during an interview with reporters. “On our part, we just want to appreciate Jerom. There’s always a willingness on his part to play for Adamson, The last time, we announced that he would play, he really decided to play for Adamson in his last playing year. We appreciate that kind of dedication.”

The Adamson guard’s collegiate career may be over but he decided to undergo surgery after the season as he wants to stay with his teammates.

“I’m not pressuring myself. I think it’s normal for athletes to have this kind of injury. Sad to say it’s an ACL injury. So, I will move on and focus on the next step in my return to basketball,” said Lastimosa in Filipino after supporting the Falcons in their 63-54 win over Far Eastern University on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Suan said that Lastimosa decided to finish his swan song despite his injury.

“He wants to sing the alma mater inside the court in Adamson’s last game this season. He will be singing the Adamson hymn with the community as his last dance for his collegiate career,” he said.

Lastimosa suffered a partial tear before the season and missed the whole first round. He returned against the University of the Philippines on Wednesday but aggravated his injury in the third quarter of their blowout 77-51 loss.

Adamson’s member of the board of managing directors said Lastimosa was cleared to play in the second round.

“We know yung meron siyang partial tear sometime in May, pero take note, Adamson is very conscious in terms of medical advice. We put Jerom to play after much consideration and it has a clearance ng isang well known doctor. That’s when we realized he can play after intensive rehab. In fact naging very positive yung development prior nung game sa UP. Before the game nga, nagbuhat siya ng almost 200 pounds sa weights during that time,” Suan said.

Lastimosa, who won the Southeast Asian Games gold medal with Gilas Pilipinas before his injury, urges his teammates to keep going as they try to return to the Final Four with a 4-5 record behind fourth seed Ateneo, which holds a 4-4 record.

“Kanina nga, parang nagpplano sila na ilagay yung pangalan ko sa jersey. So parang sinabihan ni coach Nash na no need to do that kasi kung gusto niyong ihonor kay Jerom tong laro na ito, pakita niyo sa laro,” said Lastimosa, whose jersey No.7 was retired by the school before the season.

“Lagi akong nagpapasalamat sa Adamson community kasi andiyan sila lagi naka-support sa amin through ups and downs, win or lose,  nandiyan sila lagi. We always continue our best para lang manalo lagi every game. And we always try our best na makapasok kami sa final four and of course to make it to the finals,” he added.

Suan expressed Adamson’s gratitude to Lastimosa, who opted to stay and finish his Sports Management degree amid the overseas offers last year.

“Isinantabi niya yung offer. The primary purpose is for him to finish his studies. That’s the main reason bakit sinantabi niya yung offer last year. To announce to you, he’ll be graduating this semester in February,” Suan said. “We’re just complying with the OJT, but definitely, Jerom will graduate this coming February. Sports management.”

“That’s the end of his collegiate career, but not the end of his career, okay? Maraming history sa buhay na naka-recover sa ACL tear. Jerom with his agility and dedication, babalik siya. Kita niyo naman, parang di na-ACL, full spirits pa siya. There’s no sign of being down emotionally, he’s in high spirits,” he added.