Adamson's Jerom Lastimosa, La Salle's Bettina Binaohan earn UAAP Co-Players of the Week honor

Adamson University's Jerom Lastimosa and De La Salle University's Bettina Binaohan stepped up during their respective teams' games in the homestretch of UAAP Season 85.

Lastimosa, who is playing through a right foot injury, kept the Soaring Falcons' Final Four hopes alive after unleashing 23 points in Adamson's 75-70 victory over Far Eastern University. 

The guard from San Marcelino also proved to be crucial in the final minutes of their 64-63 win against National University where he drained a dagger triple to improve their chances for a Final Four spot at 7-6. Lastimosa tallied seven points, five rebounds, two assists, and a steal in the said game.

"We're still alive going to the Final Four. Alam ko na 'yung dalawang tira ko is hindi siya pumasok but I never give up sa last shot. So, I think deserve ko naman ‘yun kasi pina-practice ko talaga every day. Hindi lang every day, kundi every morning, lunch and dinner,” said Lastimosa. “One more na lang, one more push just to make it to the Final Four.”

Binaohan, meanwhile, was crucial in La Salle's takedown of defending champs National University, where she registered 10 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and two steals. In their 66-41 win against University of the East, the Lady Archer tallied 14 points, 17 rebounds, two assists, and two steals as the team improved to 12-2 and clinched a twice-to-beat advantage.

With their significant roles in their respective campaigns, Lastimosa and Binaohan were named the UAAP Co-Players of the Week by the Collegiate Press Corps, and presented by the Philippine Sports Commission and San Miguel Corporation.

Lastimosa bested Ateneo de Manila's Ange Kouame and Dave Ildefonso, University of the Philippines' Carl Tamayo, and UE's Rey Remogat, while Binaohan stood out over teammate Lee Sario and University of Santo Tomas' Eka Soriano.

This is the fifth time that print and online writers named Co-Players of the Week, with NU's Ria Nabalan and Kouame getting the first in October 2018, followed by UST's CJ Cansino and Adamson's Mar Prado in 2019. Early this season, UE's Luis Villegas and Ateneo's Kacey dela Rosa were given the honors, while in the NCAA, San Beda's Robert Bolick and Letran's Bong Quinto bagged the honors in August 2018. The award is backed by minor sponsors MNL Kingpin, Tinapayan Festival, and Jockey.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA Integrated News