Jimmy Alapag couldn’t make it to Marcio Lassiter’s record-breaking night, but the PBA’s new three-point king still felt satisfied with the local icon’s support.
The San Miguel sniper disclosed that he finally had that conversation, albeit via text, with the former league MVP regarding the history he eventually wrote on Sunday night that highlighted their massive rout of Barangay Ginebra.
“Jimmy texted me yesterday,” he shared during the postgame presser of their 131-82 victory at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. “We just talked a little bit. He showed his gratitude, he was proud of the accomplishment.”
Lassiter, in only 538 games, surpassed Alapag to become the league’s all-time threes leader barely five minutes into their clash versus the Kings.
The 13-year veteran needed two to tie, and three to dislodge the sure-fire Hall of Famer entering the rivalry affair. The next thing he knew, he was already the no. 1 when he sank a stop-and-pop triple with 7:10 to go in the first.
“I think my record-breaker was like a heat check,” he recalled of that shot, which he made in transition. “I was just kind of in the moment, just out-of-body experience. I just kind of threw it up and I was feeling good.”
Lassiter eventually finished the night with a 6-of-8 clip from three for 18 points, in the process tallying 1,254 career triples – and counting.
Yet ever the team player, the 10-time PBA champion deflected the credit to his teammates, particularly to June Mar Fajardo and Chris Ross – his fellow members of the famed Death Five crew – for all the aid they provided.
“I definitely couldn’t do this without my teammates from the past and right now. They’ve helped me out so much, especially… I feel like the main two that probably gave me the most assists are June Mar and Chris,” he said.
“So, I got to thank those guys also. I’m just truly honored and blessed to be in this position. Words can’t describe how I feel. I’m just overwhelmed with a lot of emotions right now,” the 37-year-old winger furthered.
Lassiter was awarded the game ball at halftime, yet there remains a part of him wishing that Alapag was there to witness it all in person.
‘Cap’ hoped for it too, actually, according to Lassiter. Still, he’s more than happy with the fact that his senior is proud of what he’s done.
“He wished he could be here,” he said.
“But he said he’ll be full-on, just be there supporting. He’s back home in the States. He just gave his wishes and said hi to the family, and… ‘Just keep on pushing the needle,’ he said.”
He finds solace in the fact, too, that a big crowd witnessed the milestone as the Big Dome received a solid gate attendance for the big game.
“I’m kind of happy it’s here. We can say a lot of fans witnessed it. I’m just happy for them,” Lassiter said.
“Hopefully, there’s more to come.”
