As mentioned, PBA legend Jojo Lastimosa departs from the role of assistant coach of NLEX Road warriors. He is to enter the prestigious TNT as its brand new team manager. Lastimosa’s stretch with the Road Warriors’ assistant coach lasted for about 14 years until this recent change of post.
“We thank Coach Jolas for his invaluable contributions to the Road Warriors organization and we wish him good luck in the next phase of his career.” In a statement just last Monday, NLEX head coach and former coworker of Lastimosa expressed endearingly. He gratefully narrates, “We gave him [Lastimosa] our blessing since it’s a personal advancement for him,”
On Tuesday, TNT veteran Kelly Williams welcomed Lastimosa to practice. He later on posted proudly on social media a photo of himself with the team manager captioned: “Finally get to work alongside the Legend, Mr. Clutch, Jojo Lastimosa!” This was an eager and warm welcome by the young athlete.
A summary of Lastimossa’s career
Formally known as Isabelo “Jojo” Lastimosa, the legendary Jolas was born in March 10, 1964 of Filipino descent and heritage.
From 1988 to 2002, he played professional basketball for the Purefoods Hotdogs, Alaska Aces, and Pop Cola Panthers in the Philippine Basketball Association. During the 1980s and 1990s, he was a member of the Philippine national basketball team. In Cebu City, he also played for the University of San Jose – Recoletos. He also spent time at the Ateneo de Manila. He is the team manager of the PBA’s TNT Tropang Giga. For his deadly perimeter shooting, he has earned the nicknames “Jolas,” “Mr. Clutch,” “The 4th Quarter Man,” and “PBA Jordan.”
Lastimosa was one of two early entries to the pro league signed by newcomer Purefoods Hotdogs, along with Jerry Codiera.[2] He was already being groomed to be a future superstar in the PBA. Jolas made such an impression in his rookie year that he was named Rookie of the Year. After a trade with Boy Cabahug at the start of the 1991 PBA season, he earned his first PBA title with the Hotdogs in the 1990 Third Conference, but his best years were with the Alaska Milkmen, where he won nine titles in total, including a grand slam in 1996. In the final year of his career, Jolas transferred to Pop Cola for the 2000-2001 season before returning to his previous team, the Alaska Aces, in 2002.
PBA highlights
- Member of the 1996 Alaska Grandslam Team
- 10-Time PBA Champion
- 1 time With Purefoods, then 9 times 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
