MAGNOLIA ended the first part of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) 50th Season Governors’ Cup on a high note-thanks to Jerom Lastimosa.
The Hotshots guard scored a career-high 30 points last Saturday to lead his team to a 115-101 win over Phoenix Super LPG. With Lastimosa in charge, Magnolia won its third straight game after a 1-3 win-loss start before the league takes a six-week break.
Lastimosa’s strong play allowed him to capture the PBA Press Corps Player of the Week for the period August 11 to 14.
Lastimosa shot 11-of-14 from the field, while also dishing out three assists, and contributing two steals to beat the likes of Justin Arana of Converge and Chris Newsome of Meralco for the plum handed by sportswriters covering the PBA beat.
‘More than his offense, it’s his defense,’ Magnolia coach LA Tenorio said about Lastimosa. ‘It’s good that he responds well. The players know he’s the one I often scold because I know what he’s capable of contributing to this team.’
‘I told him that learning is his responsibility now,’ Tenorio said. ‘Whether something happens within the team or not, he’s the one I’m going to call out.’
Lastimosa said he doesn’t mind being scolded by Tenorio during games and practices.
‘That’s where we learn,’ Lastimosa said. ‘I never take it for granted when the coach gets mad at me. It means he cares and just wants to improve my game.’