RON Lastimosa was only two years old when his uncle, Jojo Lastimosa, won a grand slam while playing for the Alaska Milkmen in 1996.
Growing up in Cagayan de Oro just like his uncle, the young Lastimosa wasn't able to see the exploits of Jolas during his prime. To see the most successful player in the family, he had to browse the Internet just to witness greatness.
"Pinapanood ko na nga lang sa YouTube," Ron told PBA.ph. "Pero ang galing talaga ng uncle ko. Tama yung dad ko, ang galing talaga ni Uncle Jolas."
Ron's dad and Jolas are first cousins, which means the former will become the third Lastimosa trying to make his mark in the PBA. Make that fourth in the family as Eric dela Cuesta, another cousin of Jolas, also applied in 2004 and was picked in the fourth round by Alaska.
Carlo Lastimosa, Ron's cousin, was the latest in the family to play in the PBA and the latter hopes to follow in their footsteps by joining this year's PBA Draft.
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Unlike his uncle, who had a stellar career and cousin Carlo, who came in to the PBA as a high-scoring guard from St. Benilde, Ron was the unheralded baller of the family. He played for the National University Bulldogs in the UAAP, then saw action in the MPBL playing briefly for the Muntinlupa Cagers and later on for the Pasay Voyagers.
But other than his brief shining moment in the MPBL, Ron considers himself as a role player.
That's why he sees himself as an underdog from among the 97 PBA hopefuls vying for spots in the pro league.
"I'll be fortunate to be picked up late in the draft," said Ron. "Maswerte na ako kapag nangyari yun. Gusto ko lang naman subukan rin."
Like the other draft applicants, Lastimosa decided to try his luck, hoping he'll be given an opportunity to play, especially at this time of the pandemic when there's no other league to play for other than the PBA.
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"Whatever happens, ma-draft man ako or hindi, magiging automatic free agent na rin naman kaming hindi mapipili. But I'm keeping my fingers crossed na baka sakali namang mabigyan kami ng pagkakataon," added Lastimosa. (RJ)
