MANILA, Philippines — Magnolia coach Chito Vicolero said they are not in a rush to let rookie playmaker Jerom Lastimosa play in the PBA Season 49, which kicks off with the Governors' Cup on August 18.

Selected ninth overall, the 26-year-old former Adamson Falcon is still recovering from a knee injury that he sustained prior to the start of the UAAP men's basketball last season.

"He's (Lastimosa) still recovering from his injury so maybe, he'll be able to play in the second conference," Victolero told the Manila Times on Monday.

The soft-spoken Magnolia coach said he's got a stable of veteran guards, who are capable of manning the backcourt.

Plus, he wouldn't risk Lastimosa's career by letting him play prematurely.

"We need Jerom healthy so that when he comes back, we don't even have to worry about him getting re-injured," he added.

In the bigger scheme of things, Victolero said they are fortunate to still draft Lastimosa, who, if not for the knee injury, would have easily been among the top 3 rookie picks in the recent PBA Draft.

"I feel like we got lucky when Jerom was still available in the first round. We never expected to still be able to pick him," recalled the 48-year-old Victolero.

"Before the injury, we know he was probably among the top 2 best point guards in college, plus, he also played for Gilas," he added.

For now, Victolero believes waiting for Lastimosa to completely recover is worth the wait.

"We know Jerom is worth the wait, maybe after three or four months after he fully recovers because I know he'll be very vital to my rotation," he stressed.