Adamson's Jerom Lastimosa expected to make UAAP return in second round

Adamson star Jerom Lastimosa is likely to rejoin Adamson’s training this week and has been raring to make a return in the second round of the UAAP Season 86 men’s basketball tournament. 

The 5-foot-10 combo guard suffered a knee injury in one of their training sessions and has been sidelined since the preseason. 

Lastimosa, however, has been projected to make his final year in the collegiate year count when he makes a return in the next round.

“If you follow his TikTok, you’ll know what’s happening with him. Every day he does therapy like five times a week,” said Adamson head coach Nash Racela, whose wards turned back University of the East, 72-65, on Sunday, Oct. 15, to improve 3-2 in the standings. 

“I think by next week he’ll probably join us in practice with a calendar that he has, we’ll see,” he added.

Lastimosa has been regularly posting an update on his personal social media account about his injury and was also present in Adamson's previous games. 

With Lastimosa’s absence, the Soaring Falcons struggled in the beginning of the season, but recently managed to make a breakthrough following their huge overtime win over defending champion Ateneo Blue Eagles. 

Though some players stepped up in the likes of Cedrick Manzano, Vince Magbuhos and rookie Matthew Montebos, Lastimosa, who was averaging 15.0 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.0 steals last season, was sorely missed by Adamson. 

The 25-year-old turned down offers from neighboring Korean Basketball League and Japan B. League to play pro overseas and decided not to forgo his last year with Adamson. 

Adamson and De La Salle Green Archers share a 3-2 record behind University of the Philippines (5-0) and National University (4-1).

The Soaring Falcons resume action when they face the Far Eastern University Tamaraws on Wednesday, Oct. 18, at the Mall of Asia Arena.