Jojo Lastimosa
Isabelo Lastimosa, Jr. (born March 10, 1964), better known as Jojo Lastimosa and by his nickname "Jolas", is a former Filipino professional basketball player from Cagayan de Oro City who played in the Philippine Basketball Association for the Purefoods Hotdogs, the Alaska Aces and the Pop Cola Panthers from 1988-2002. He was also a former member of the Philippines' national basketball team during the 1980s and 1990s. He also played for the University of San Jose - Recoletos in Cebu City. He had a stint also in Ateneo de Manila.
Collegiate / Amateur career
Lastimosa was one of the eight rookies of the Blue Eagles camp in the UAAP 1981-82 season, he was languishing behind the shadow of the more senior members of the team. After a forgettable stint with Ateneo, Jojo decided to pack his things and fly home to Cagayan de Oro. In June 1983, he joined elder brother Danny to power-laden Mama's Love team and enrolled for a BSC-Computer Science course come the opening of classes that year at the University of San Jose Recoletos. It was then when he got the biggest break and exposure, his reentry in Manila via the premier amateur league (PABL) showcased his devastating wares. He leaves his audience astounded with his cat-quick reflexes, more so whenever he suspends himself in mid-air and a lot of Rizal Memorial Coliseum' habitues already likened him to the highly noticeable Samboy Lim of Letran Knights.
In a short span of time, Jolas won MVP honors while playing for Mama's Love in the first conference of the 1985 PABL season. The following year, he became teammates with Samboy Lim and they led the Lhuillier Jewelers to the championship of the PABL's first conference. He spent his last two years in the amateur league with the Jewelers of coach Yayoy Alcoseba although he was a borrowed player when RFM-Swifts won their first PABL title in the 1987 International Invitational Cup and was voted Most Outstanding Player of the tournament, besting former national teammate Alvin Patrimonio.
PBA career
Lastimosa, along with Jerry Codiñera, were the two early entries to the pro league signed by newcomer Purefoods Hotdogs. He was already groomed to be a future superstar in the PBA. Jolas made such impact in his first season and was voted Rookie of the year. He won his first PBA title with the Hotdogs in the 1990 Third Conference but his best years were with the Alaska Milkmen, following a trade with Boy Cabahug beginning the 1991 PBA season. Lastimosa overall won 9 championships with Alaska, including a grandslam in 1996. In the twilight of his career, Jolas moved to Pop Cola in the 2000-2001 season before returning to his old club Alaska Aces in his final year in 2002.
Career highlights
PBA highlights
- Member of the 1996 Alaska Grandslam Team
- 10-Time PBA Champion ( 1 With Purefoods, 9 with Alaska )
- Rookie of the Year in 1988
- 3-time Mythical First Team Selection (1991, 1996 and 1998)
- 3-time Mythical Second Team Selection (1988, 1995 and 1999)
- 9-time PBA All-Star
- 1996 All Filipino Cup Finals MVP
- PBA 2,000 assist club Member
- PBA 500 3-points club Member
- PBA 12,000 points club Member
- # 7th PBA All Time Scoring Leaders
- # 7th PBA Most Minutes Played
- # 3rd PBA Most Free Throws Made
- Member, PBA's 25 Greatest Players
Other highlights
- Member, 1986 Asian Games (Bronze Medal)
- Member, 1987 William Jones Cup
- Member, 1998 PBA Centennial Team
- Member, 1998 William Jones Cup (Champions)
- Member, 1998 Asian Games (Bronze Medal)
- Member, PBL's Top 20 Players of All-Time
External links
Alaska Milkmen |
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| Alaska Aces |
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| Championships (14) | |
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| Runner-up finishes (15) | |
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| Retired jerseys | |
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| Seasons (30) | |
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| Culture and lore | |
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