Jerom Lastimosa took charge in the endgame of their PBA All-Star Rookies/Sophomores vs Juniors game.
CANDON CITY, ILOCOS SUR — Jerom Lastimosa didn’t need to do much the entire way to make an impact Friday night, March 6.
Lastimosa poured it all in the fourth period as the Rookies/Sophomores turned back the Juniors in their PBA All-Star match at the Candon City Arena here.
The Magnolia standout dropped 14 of his 27 points in the fourth period where the younger team turned a tight game into a breakaway.
He also had 10 assists. and a steal in the match that also featured legends Arwind Santos and Willie Miller for Rookies/Sophomores and Ranidel de Ocampo and Marc Pingris for the Juniors side.
“Sobrang happy ako, kahit di kami teammates (sa PBA), selection kami lahat, kahit papano yung laro amin as a team talaga,” said Lastimosa, who was adjudged RSJ MVP.
Halfway through the final period, Lastimosa dropped six straight points for a 131-118 lead the youthful crew preserved until the final period.
He would score four more after that, the last of which were two free throws that gave the team a 146-137 buffer with only a minute and 37 seconds left to play.
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But he didn’t do it alone.
Brandon Ramirez set the tone early for the RS and wound up with 26 points and 10 rebounds, while Kai Ballungay and Dalph Panopio added 20 and 17 points, respectively.
“Thank you kay Lord kasi binigyan niya akong ng ganitong talent,” said Lastimosa. “To all the fans sa Candon, maraming salamat!”
Meanwhile, the Juniors team got 30 points from Ricci Rivero but it wasn’t enough to get them over the hump.
Schonny Winston added 29 points, while Ken Tuffin had 23 points and five rebounds.
Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.