Jojo Lastimosa
Encyclopedia
Isabelo Lastimosa, Jr. 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 TJ Hotdogs, the Alaska Aces
and the Pop Cola Panthers
from 1988-2003. 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. Lastimosa is currently an assistant coach of the Alaska Aces
.
His clutch jumper was the most feared in crunchtime situations and he was one those players who took his game from above the rim to outside in the perimeter.
Martelino paved the way for the entry of Mama's Love, a franchise of International Pharmaceuticals Inc., which steered the league to its peak as Cebuano supporters literally jampacked the oven-hot Rizal Memorial Coliseum
.
It was considered the golden era as unknown Visayan cagers Lastimosa, Elmer Cabahug, Larry Villanil and Zaldy Realubit, became the new heroes of basketball fans from the south as they pit talents against the so-called best from the collegiate leagues. Later on, Lastimosa would play with another Visayan-based team, the Lhuillier Jewelers, where he teamed up with his good friend and national team hotshot Samboy Lim
in winning a PABL title.
, many-time "Mythical Team" and All-Defensive Team Member Jerry Codiñera
and perennial All-Defensive Team member, Glenn Capacio. He won Rookie of the Year honors and was named to the Mythical Second Team in the same year.
However, Lastimosa did not last long at Purefoods as he was traded to Alaska Milk in 1991 in a trade with Cabahug. At Alaska, his career further blossomed as he became an integral part of the Triangle offense
. He skippered the Milkmen to the 1996 Grand Slam together with eventual 1996 MVP Johnny Abarrientos
, Bong Hawkins
and Jeffrey Cariaso
, only the fourth Grand Slam in the league's history. During his stay with Alaska, he became a permanent fixture in the "Mythical Team" selection.
In 1998, he again led the Alaska team to the championship of both the All-Filipino and Commissioner's Cups together with Abarrientos, Hawkins and Kenneth Duremdes
. The Grand Slam was then again beckoning but his inclusion to the 1998 Centennial Team (together with Abarrientos and Duremdes) that played in the 1998 William Jones Cup (Champions) and the Bangkok Asian Games (Bronze Medal) prevented the team from repeating their 1996 feat.
After a long association with the Alaska team, Lastimosa was traded to the Pop Cola Panthers where he formed a deadly triumvirate with Nelson Asaytono
and Noli Locsin
. However, they were not able to turn the tide for the then struggling Pop Cola team.
In 2002, Lastimosa found his way back to the Alaska Aces franchise where he ended his illustrious career in 2003.
During halftime of their 2003 season opening game, Alaska retired Lastimosa's #6 jersey. During the off season, Lastimosa announced his retirement after playing 15 seasons in the league.
During his entire PBA career, he was considered as one of the most unassuming but effective players in the PBA. He finished his career with over 11,000 points. One of the high points in his career was his near flawless game against Kazakhstan
in the battle for third place in the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games where the Philippines captured the bronze medal.
Trivia
Filipino people
The Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....
professional basketball player from Cagayan de Oro City
Cagayan de Oro City
Cagayan de Oro; , officially the City of Cagayan de Oro, is the provincial capital city of the province of Misamis Oriental in the Philippines...
who played in the Philippine Basketball Association
Philippine Basketball Association
The Philippine Basketball Association , is a men's professional basketball league in the Philippines composed of 10 company-branded franchised teams. It is the first and oldest professional basketball league in Asia and the second oldest in the world after the NBA...
for the Purefoods TJ Hotdogs, the Alaska Aces
Alaska Aces (PBA)
The Alaska Aces is a professional basketball team in the Philippine Basketball Association since 1986 under the ownership of the Alaska Milk Corporation and the owner of 13 PBA championships with the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference as their latest...
and the Pop Cola Panthers
Pop Cola Panthers
The Pop Cola Panthers is a former Philippine Basketball Association team from 1990-2001 under the ownership of Cosmos Bottling Corporation, a subsidiary of RFM Corporation. Cosmos was sold to Coca-Cola Bottlers Philippines, Inc., then-owned by San Miguel Corporation in 2001 which also includes the...
from 1988-2003. He was also a former member of the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
' national basketball team during the 1980s and 1990s. He also played for the University of San Jose - Recoletos
University of San Jose - Recoletos
The University of San Jose – Recoletos is a Catholic private university founded in 1947 in Cebu City, Philippines by the Order of Augustinian Recollects...
in Cebu City. Lastimosa is currently an assistant coach of the Alaska Aces
Alaska Aces (PBA)
The Alaska Aces is a professional basketball team in the Philippine Basketball Association since 1986 under the ownership of the Alaska Milk Corporation and the owner of 13 PBA championships with the 2010 PBA Fiesta Conference as their latest...
.
His clutch jumper was the most feared in crunchtime situations and he was one those players who took his game from above the rim to outside in the perimeter.
PBL career
Jojo Lastimosa entered the Philippine Amateur Basketball League or PABL, as the league was then known, during the period 1985-1988 when Mauricio "Moying" Martelino was Commissioner, as part of the Mama's Love franchise.Martelino paved the way for the entry of Mama's Love, a franchise of International Pharmaceuticals Inc., which steered the league to its peak as Cebuano supporters literally jampacked the oven-hot Rizal Memorial Coliseum
Rizal Memorial Coliseum
The Rizal Memorial Coliseum is one of two indoor sporting arenas located inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Manila, Philippines, the other being the Ninoy Aquino Stadium...
.
It was considered the golden era as unknown Visayan cagers Lastimosa, Elmer Cabahug, Larry Villanil and Zaldy Realubit, became the new heroes of basketball fans from the south as they pit talents against the so-called best from the collegiate leagues. Later on, Lastimosa would play with another Visayan-based team, the Lhuillier Jewelers, where he teamed up with his good friend and national team hotshot Samboy Lim
Samboy Lim
Avelino B. Lim, Jr. , better known as Samboy Lim, is a former basketball player of the Philippine Basketball Association. As a shooting guard, the iconic Lim distinguished himself with Magic Johnson-like ball handling skills and Julius "Dr...
in winning a PABL title.
PBA career
Lastimosa was one of the original members of the Purefoods TJ Hotdogs franchise upon its entry into the league in 1988 as one of the illustrious quartet which included PBA 4-time MVP Alvin PatrimonioAlvin Patrimonio
Alvin Vergara Patrimonio , nicknamed "The Captain" and "Captain Lionheart" is a retired Filipino professional basketball player from the Philippine Basketball Association and is the current team manager of his former team, the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants.Patrimonio holds several PBA records...
, many-time "Mythical Team" and All-Defensive Team Member Jerry Codiñera
Jerry Codiñera
Jerry Codiñera is a retired professional basketball player of the Philippine Basketball Association. He is nicknamed the "Defense Minister" for his prowess at the defensive end. He is also a member of the 25 Best Players of all Time of PBA and Philippine men's national basketball team of the 1994...
and perennial All-Defensive Team member, Glenn Capacio. He won Rookie of the Year honors and was named to the Mythical Second Team in the same year.
However, Lastimosa did not last long at Purefoods as he was traded to Alaska Milk in 1991 in a trade with Cabahug. At Alaska, his career further blossomed as he became an integral part of the Triangle offense
Triangle offense
The Triangle Offense, also known as the triple-post offense, is an offensive strategy in basketball. Its basic ideas were initially established by Hall of Fame coach Sam Barry at the University of Southern California. His system was later refined by former Kansas State University head basketball...
. He skippered the Milkmen to the 1996 Grand Slam together with eventual 1996 MVP Johnny Abarrientos
Johnny Abarrientos
Johnny Abarrientos is a retired Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association. He was also a many-time member of the Philippine National team, and was the 1996 PBA MVP, becoming the shortest player to win the league's highest individual award.He is known by many...
, Bong Hawkins
Bong Hawkins
Rene Hawkins Jr. better known as "Bong Hawkins" is a retired Filipino professional basketball player of the Philippine Basketball Association. He is former starting forward for the Alaska Aces and he also played for Tivoli, Sta. Lucia, Tanduay and Coca-Cola.-Tivoli:He was drafted in 1991 by Presto...
and Jeffrey Cariaso
Jeffrey Cariaso
Jeffrey J. Cariaso is a retired Filipino professional basketball player of the Philippine Basketball Association. He is the former starting off-guard for the Alaska Aces.-Alaska:...
, only the fourth Grand Slam in the league's history. During his stay with Alaska, he became a permanent fixture in the "Mythical Team" selection.
In 1998, he again led the Alaska team to the championship of both the All-Filipino and Commissioner's Cups together with Abarrientos, Hawkins and Kenneth Duremdes
Kenneth Duremdes
Kenneth Duremdes is a Filipino professional basketball player in the Philippine Basketball Association who currently plays for the Powerade Tigers...
. The Grand Slam was then again beckoning but his inclusion to the 1998 Centennial Team (together with Abarrientos and Duremdes) that played in the 1998 William Jones Cup (Champions) and the Bangkok Asian Games (Bronze Medal) prevented the team from repeating their 1996 feat.
After a long association with the Alaska team, Lastimosa was traded to the Pop Cola Panthers where he formed a deadly triumvirate with Nelson Asaytono
Nelson Asaytono
Nelson Asaytono is a retired professional basketball player of the Philippine Basketball Association, also known as "The Bull" for his monster dunks...
and Noli Locsin
Noli Locsin
Manuel Luis Locsin , better known as Noli Locsin, is a retired Filipino professional basketball player. He spent most of his career for the Ginebra San Miguel franchise in the Philippine Basketball Association...
. However, they were not able to turn the tide for the then struggling Pop Cola team.
In 2002, Lastimosa found his way back to the Alaska Aces franchise where he ended his illustrious career in 2003.
During halftime of their 2003 season opening game, Alaska retired Lastimosa's #6 jersey. During the off season, Lastimosa announced his retirement after playing 15 seasons in the league.
During his entire PBA career, he was considered as one of the most unassuming but effective players in the PBA. He finished his career with over 11,000 points. One of the high points in his career was his near flawless game against Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan , officially the Republic of Kazakhstan, is a transcontinental country in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Ranked as the ninth largest country in the world, it is also the world's largest landlocked country; its territory of is greater than Western Europe...
in the battle for third place in the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games where the Philippines captured the bronze medal.
PBA highlights
- Member of the 1996 Alaska Grandslam Team
- 10-Time PBA Champions ( 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)
- 8-time PBA All-StarPhilippine Basketball AssociationThe Philippine Basketball Association , is a men's professional basketball league in the Philippines composed of 10 company-branded franchised teams. It is the first and oldest professional basketball league in Asia and the second oldest in the world after the NBA...
- 1996 All Filipino Cup Finals MVP
- PBA 500 3-points club Member
- PBA 5,000 points club Member
- PBA 10,000 points club Member
- PBA 11,000 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 GamesAsian GamesThe Asian Games, officially known as Asiad, is a multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from all over Asia. The Games were regulated by the Asian Games Federation from the first Games in New Delhi, India, until the 1978 Games. Since the 1982 Games they have been organised by the...
(Bronze Medal) - Member, 1987 William Jones CupWilliam Jones CupThe R. William Jones Cup is an international basketball tournament held annually in Taipei, Taiwan. It was named after Renato William Jones, a basketball promoter and one of the founders of the International Basketball Federation .The Jones Cup tournament started in 1977 and is held annually...
- Member, 1998 PBA Centennial Team
- Member, 1998 William Jones Cup (Champions)
- Member, 1998 Asian Games (Bronze Medal)
- Member, PBLPhilippine Basketball LeagueThe Philippine Basketball League is a commercial semi-professional basketball league in the Philippines. The league is composed of several commercial teams with several collegiate and provincial stars.-History:...
's Top 20 Players of All-Time
Trivia
- Robert Jaworski perceived to be Jolas arch-enemy was one of his God parent during his weeding.
- Butch Maniego in one of his column said that in 1991 MVP voting Jolas could have beaten Alvin Patrimonio in the MVP but media vote prevented him in getting his MVP because of his snobbish image to the press that time in fact during the presentation of his 1996 All Filipino Finals MVP given by the press Jolas jokingly states that maybe he has now more relative in the press voting for him as MVP.
- Jojo Lastimosa during his playing days in the PBA was always guarded by opponent's big men and suspect of opponent's double teaming defense especially when Jolas posting up his opponent, Norman Black always put 6'3 and 6'4 players to guard him (Yves Dignadice and Bobby Jose) jaworski would put Benny Cheng and Macky De Joya to guard Jolas.
- Allan Caidic own the deadliest three point shot during their heyday, but Jolas has the deadliest Perimeter shooting hand, Jolas like Michael Jordan own the deadly post up fade away jump shot in the PBA in the 90's.
- During his early years in the PBA, he has a great leaping ability and would always drive his way to the basket. A great one on one player. He always given an isolation play whenever he has the ball. He later developed his outside shooting especially in the perimeter. He played on all guard positions; shooting guard, point guard and offguard.
- His most notable match ups includes Ramon Fernandez(During his Purefoods days. 1989 All Filipino Cup Finals series), Ato Agustin, Samboy Lim, Allan Caidic, Vince Hizon, Glen Capacio, Bong Ravena, and Robert Jaworski.
- He was a runner up in the 1987 PBL Slam dunk Contest.(Won by Vergel Meneses.)
External links
- http://web.archive.org/web/20030504054231/http://www.geocities.com/maong69/pba.lastimosa.html
- http://www.teenfad.ph/news/archives/why25.htm
- http://web.archive.org/web/20080116054124/http://www.geocities.com/SouthBeach/Lagoon/8541/philbas.players_m.html
- http://web.archive.org/web/20080116061932/http://www.geocities.com/SouthBeach/Lagoon/8541/philbas.1998jones.html
- http://www.mypbl.com/20PBLplayers.shtml