Few may have noticed, but Marcio Lassiter was actually one of San Miguel’s top scorers last Friday, in Game Five of their 2019 PBA Philippine Cup Finals versus the Magnolia Hotshots.
After a rough start to the series due to lack of rhythm, no thanks to back spasms, Lassiter produced 20 points, eight rebounds, and three steals in nearly 41 minutes.
But his efforts went for naught as the Beermen bowed to the Hotshots, 86-88. Mark Barroca made a cold-blooded jumper off a shot fake along the baseline to beat the final buzzer.
However, that game seemingly helped Lassiter regain his touch. And in Game Six Sunday night, he became a problem for Magnolia.
Lassiter fired 20 markers once more on a 50-percent shooting clip – his best shooting performance in the series so far. He also had seven boards, three assists, and two steals.
His efforts also did not go to waste this time, as the Beermen won, 98-86, to force a winner-take-all Game Seven for the title.
“It was falling tonight,” he said. “I was kinda mixing it up tonight, going inside, cutting. Coach [Leo Austria] was telling me to attack more, just play how they feel. I was fortunate to get my first three going.
“And I was getting more and more comfortable, and the guys were sharing the ball and [doing] what we always do. We’re just continuously sharing the ball,” added Lassiter, as SMB had 21 assists.
“The main focus is June Mar [Fajardo], and I just wanna be there when they double, just to give more opportunity for him to work in the post and just space the floor. That’s what I’m there to do.”
Still, Lassiter said that the win was all down to their team play.
The eight-year pro from California lauded their second group led by Christian Standhardinger and Terrence Romeo, as they were pivotal in paving the way for the much-needed victory.
San Miguel received 27 bench points, with 16 coming from Standhardinger.
“Huge. Huge contributions. They’re actually, they made that lead double. I don’t know how much it was … But it was great. Those guys came out mentally prepared,” Lassiter said.
“They wanted to come out with even more aggression, and it all started with defense and making stops.”
Game Seven is this Wednesday. The opportunity for San Miguel to bag their record fifth-straight All-Filipino crown is looming. But Lassiter knows it will be easier said than done.
“We’ve been in Game Sevens before, and we’ll definitely bank on our experience to kinda carry us. But at the same time, we know it’s not gonna be easy,” said the six-time PBA champion.
“Both teams want to really win, and we know it’s gonna be a grind-out game. And from this point, we have to mentally prepare ourselves. And [with] what happened today, let’s move on,” he added.
“[We should] carry this style of play, continue playing great basketball, and carry it over for the next game.”
