Lastimosa blossoms from third-string guard to rising star

MANILA, Philippines -- Once a third-string guard for Barako Bull, Carlo Lastimosa is now comfortable with his increasing role as a go-to-guy for his new team Blackwater in the ongoing Smart Bro-PBA Philippine Cup.

The six-foot Lastimosa, now in hi third seson as a pro, is averaging career-high numbers of 15.2 points, 2.6 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 22.7 minutes of play.

The former St. Benilde shooting guard, the 20th overall pick by Barako Bull in the 2013 PBA Draft, landed at Blackwater’s lap after swapping teams with Brian Heruela during the offseason. The wide-bodied Heruela was eventually shipped by Barako Bull to San Miguel Beer.

Lastimosa said his newfound confidence with the Elite was borne out of his desire to help the second-year PBA franchise reach the playoffs in the All-Filipino conference.

“Nothing against sa Blackwater, pero nasa mababa kami kasi bago pa lang yung team tapos puro bata, so ako, I see to it I have to prove something to the team and to inspire the players. Saka mag-tulungan lang kami sa team,” Lastimosa said, shortly after firing a new personal best of 38 points in Blackwater’s 116-92 rout of Barako Bull on Friday night.

Blackwater coach Leo Isaac has no doubt they found a gem of a player in Lastimosa.

“Parang mas dobaldo siya (Lastimosa) sa laban. Alam mo yung player na relax sa ensayo pero pagdating sa laban, dumo-doble siya ng effort,” said Isaac, whose team galvanized its playoff hopes after ending a five-game slide and improving to 2-7 overall.

With two games left in its elimination-round schedule, Blackwater needs to beat Star Hotshots and Mahindra to barge into the quarterfinal phase.

Meantime, Barako Bull coach Koy Banal believes Lastimosa can achieve superstar status with the Dioceldo Sy-owned Blackwater squad.

“I’m happy for him. Nakaka-finish siya saka lumakas na siya. Humaba na yung minutes niya. At nakita naman namin iyan dahil ngayon, nakukuha na niya and he can be a superstar in the PBA,” said Banal.