Jojo Lastimosa

College and amateur career

Lastimosa was one of the eight rookies of the Blue Eagles basketball team of the Ateneo de Manila University in the UAAP 1981-82 season, After a two-stint with Ateneo, Lastimosa transferred to the University of San Jose–Recoletos in Cebu City. In June 1983, he joined elder brother Danny in the power-laden Mama's Love basketball club team. It was there where he got his biggest break and exposure, his reentry in the Manila basketball scene via the premier amateur league (PABL). In this league, he was able to showcase his skills in basketball.

In a short span of time, Lastimosa 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.

Professional career

Purefoods

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. He was in trade with Boy Cabahug to Alaska beginning the 1991 season.

Alaska

Even he was a rising star at Purefoods, he has his best years were with the Alaska Milkmen. 9 of his 10 championships was won with Alaska, including a grand slam in 1996. One of his notable clutch shots was in Game 5 in the 1996 All-Filipino Cup finals.

Pop Cola

In the twilight of his career, Jolas moved to Pop Cola in the 2000 to 2001 season.

Return to Alaska

He returned to his old club Alaska Aces in his final year in 2002.

Coaching career

Alaska

Lastimosa served as an assistant coach of the Aces under Tim Cone, Joel Banal and Luigi Trillo.

NLEX

After leaving Alaska, he served as an assistant coach for NLEX Road Warriors.

FEU Tamaraws

Lastimosa was reunited with his former Alaska teammate Johnny Abarrientos, when Lastimosa became an assistant coach for FEU Tamaraws.

TNT

While he was the manager of TNT, he was assigned as team's head coach and Slavoljub Gorunovic as active consultant, after Chot Reyes decided to focus on his commitment on the Philippine National Team. He was the second Tropang Giga head coach to have an active consultant after Bong Ravena. Lastimosa guided the team to win the 2023 Governors' Cup, their first ever Governors' Cup title since the founding of the franchise. Lastimosa also the first coach with active consultant to win a championship, and first to win a title on his first conference of coaching since former Joel Banal two decades ago, a former TNT coach that time. Reyes assumed the head coaching position in 2024, and Lastimosa focused as manager.

Managerial career

Lastimosa was appointed as manager of TNT Tropang Giga in 2022.

National team career

Lastimosa played for the Philippine national basketball team for two occasions of Asian Games, first in 1986 as an amateur player, and in 1998 as a professional. Both occasions won bronze medal.

In 1998 with the Philippine Centennial Team, he was notable for being benched in the majority of games, and got mad at Tim Cone, the coach of the team, and when Lastimosa inserted vs. Kazakhstan (second meeting against the team and the bronze medal game, he performed well that made the Philippines won bronze medal. The game was known as the "anger game". After that game, Lastimosa did not spoke to Cone after months.

Coaching record

PBA

Career highlights

PBA highlights

• Member of the 1996 Alaska Grand Slam 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)
• 4-time Mythical Second Team Selection (1988, 1995, 1997 and 1999)
• 10-time PBA All-Star
• 1992 PBA All Star Game MVP
• 1996 All Filipino Cup finals MVP
• PBA 2,000 assist club Member
• PBA 500 3-points club Member
• PBA 12,000 points club Member
• Member, PBA's 25 Greatest Players
• Member, PBA's 40 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

References

References

1. "Jolas and his sexy legs in the 80s". Interaksyon.
2. "First big test for Purefoods". Manila Standard.
3. "Jolas joins Alaska". Manila Standard.
4. Henson, Joaquin M.. (2000-01-23). "Cone Eyes Grand Slam{{!}}Sporting Chance".
5. (January 20, 2000). "Asi stays with Pals; Jolas to Pop".
6. Zaldivar, A. C.. "Pwede pa si Lastimosa".
7. Ramos, Gerry. "Tim Cone on Jolas: 'He knows me like the back of his hands'".
8. Badua, Snow. "Jolas says modern-day Aces capable of duplicating Alaska's feat in the nineties".
9. Henson, Joaquin M.. "New calling for Jolas".
10. Terrado, Reuben. "Lastimosa says Guiao's ejection proof of his confidence in NLEX staff".
11. Terrado, Reuben. "Jojo Lastimosa joins FEU program as Tams look to build champion team from the ground up".
12. (2023-04-21). "Williams torches Ginebra for 38 as TNT wins Governors' Cup".
13. "'Rejuvenated' Chot Reyes back as TNT head coach".
14. Ventura, Sid. (2023-11-22). "Double milestone for Lastimosa with award win followed by record TNT victory".
15. Cuna, Charlie. (2020-05-01). "Jolas recalls his 'angry game' with the Centennial Team".