Marcio Lassiter rewrote the PBA history books once more as San Miguel blew out Rain or Shine, 106-89, to take a 2-0 lead in the Season 48 Philippine Cup semifinals, Sunday night at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The Beermen’s resident sniper continued his ascension in the league’s all-time three-pointers made list. He fired a total of three treys for 13 points to surpass Barangay Ginebra star LA Tenorio at no. 3 in the elite ranks.
Lassiter now has 1,219 career triples and counting, moving just 24 away from moving past the great Allan Caidic (1,242) at second.
He needs only 32 to overtake another icon in Jimmy Alapag (1,250) as the all-time leader.
“As a coach, I’m really happy for him that he achieved this,” said head coach Jorge Gallent proudly. “I hope he moves forward pa to the top.”
It was a double celebration at the SMB camp, with the win enabling the reigning champions to move two games away from returning to the Big Dance.
June Mar Fajardo played a big role in the rout with 22 points and 10 rebounds as he spearheaded the third-quarter assault to turn things around.
He scored 18 of San Miguel’s 35 points in the said period, which saw him lead the telling 15-2 run to finish the quarter in their favor, 88-71.
That then set the tone for the rout where they led by as many as 19 early in the fourth.
CJ Perez came through with his own double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds, while Don Trollano chipped in 10 markers.
The Beermen will look to take a commanding 3-0 lead in Game 3 on Wednesday, May 22, 4;30 PM at the Dasmarinas Arena in Cavite.
Anton Asistio, meanwhile, had 20 points to lead Rain or Shine, which could not replicate its Game 1 outing.
There, the team dragged the perennial contenders to a down-the-wire affair before bowing to a 101-98 decision.
Adrian Nocum made 17 points with nine rebounds and four assists, both of which were team-highs.
Gian Mamuyac supplied 14 points while Keith Datu and Beau Belga added 12 and 11, respectively, for the Elasto Painters.
The Scores:
Sam Miguel 106 – Fajardo 22, Perez 19, Romeo 16, Lassiter 13, Trollano 10, Ross 9, Cruz 9, Brondial 4, Tautuaa 4, Enciso , Manuel 0, Teng 0.
Rain or Shine 89 – Asistio 20, Nocum 17, Mamuyac 14, Datu 12, Belga 11, Santillan 5, Caracut 4, Clarito 4, Norwood 2, Paredes 0, Ildefonso 0, Belo 0, Borboran 0.
Quarterscores: 23-21, 53-45, 88-71, 106-89.
