Triumphant return for UST’s Lastimosa

Pam Lastimosa. Randolph B. Leongson/INQUIRER.net

Playing in her first game in nearly a year, Pam Lastimosa savored her return for University of Santo Tomas on Monday.

“Excited ako maglaro. It feels so great na panalo kami,” said Lastimosa, who tore her ACL in her left knee. “Di ko na iniisip yung injury. Nag-focus lang ako sa game.”

Lastimosa posted seven points in University of Santo Tomas’ 25-16, 25-10, 25-23 victory over Coast Guard on Monday in the Shakey’s V-League Season 13 Reinforced Conference.

Donning the black-and-gold UST uniform anew, Lastimosa is elated to play again after her nine-month layoff.

“Before the game, nag-joke kami na first playing year ko sa V-League kasi first game ko after ilang months,” she said.

“Kakabalik ko lang ng training two months ago. Yung first few weeks after nakabalik ako ng injury, parang naninibago pa ako. Di pa ako sumasabak sa court. Basic pa lang ang ginagawa ko, spike at receive pero di pa ako tumatalon. After a month, doon lang ako sumali sa drills with the team.”

Times have also changed in the Tigresses’ lair since the last time Lastimosa played.

“Yung team noon, may seniors pa kasi nandoon pa sila Mela (Tunay), sila Jessey (de Leon). Ngayon, mga bata na ang naiwan. Kailangan pa ng maturity pagdating sa laro,” she said. “Sa akin naman, yung role ko sa team is ako ang nakikipag-communicate sa kanila at nagbibigay ng motivation din.”

Admittedly still sluggish, Lastimosa is trying her best to catch up with her teammates as she hopes to use the preseason as a springboard for her to perform at her best in the coming UAAP season.

“Nasa 50 to 60 percent pa lang ako. Kulang pa ako sa kundisyon and napapansin ko naman na medyo mabigat pa. Pero aside from training ko sa UST, nagre-rehab pa rin ako, therapy sa PT. Nag-extra work ako. No pressure naman dito sa V-League for me. Laro lang talaga,” she said.

Even UST coach Kungfu Reyes is taking a patient approach with her senior spiker.

“Hopefully, makasabay si Pam. At least, naramdaman nya na ulit na nasa real game na sya. Unti-unti, makakaya naman nya ulit. Hopefully, bago matapos first round, mas maging okay kami.”