Alaska to retire Jolas’ No. 6 jersey

Alaska Milk will retire Jojo Lastimosa’s jersey to commemorate the retirement of the team’s acknowledged leader and superstar during the halftime of the Alaska-Sta. Lucia tiff in the opening day of the 2003 PBA season Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

This will mark the second time in three years that Alaska will retire a jersey. The Aces also encased in glass Sean Chambers’ No. 20 uniform two years ago. Lastimosa’s number will be the third to be retired by the Uytengsu franchise, following Chambers’ and the No. 33 uniform of Bogs Adornado.

Lastimosa started his career with Purefoods in 1988, winning the Rookie of the Year award that season. He last played with the Hotdogs in 1990, where he was instrumental in leading Purefoods to the third conference championship, ironically versus Alaska.

Lastimosa won his very first championship with the Aces right in his first year with the team in 1991. His first two years were the most productive for the Cagayan de Oro native, averaging 22.5 points per game in 1991 and a career-best 22.6 ppg the following year.

He won nine titles with the Aces and after the 1999 season, he had had career averages of 16.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.02 assists per game. <