After over two months on the sidelines due to a grade two MCL sprain, Marcio Lassiter has finally returned.
The 6-foot-2 swingman played his first game back on Friday night, in the San Miguel Beermen’s 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup clash with defending champs Magnolia Hotshots, which they won, 90-89.
Lassiter saw action for seven minutes and 25 seconds, and had two points, three rebounds, an assist, and a steal.
“I’m just really fortunate to play tonight, just to be healthy,” expressed the eight-year pro moments after the match.
Lassiter got hurt back in July 25 during SMB’s Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinal clash versus NorthPort. He missed the rest of meet as well as Gilas Pilipinas’ FIBA World Cup stint.
“I put a lot of work to get back into this position because I missed a lot of important games these past two months, including the finals for our team in the second conference and FIBA,” he lamented.
“Those are things I wish I could be there, and I wasn’t able to be there, especially to not be there for my teammates.”
Lassiter said that he doesn’t feel pain in his knee anymore. So now, his focus is getting his game shape back.
“It’s just getting into game shape. I’m probably like 70 percent right now. It’ll just take time, and I’m just glad I didn’t get hurt or anything tonight,” said the 32-year-old from California.
Lassiter’s return is definitely good news, not just for San Miguel but as well as for Gilas. Head coach Tim Cone has included him in the 15-man pool for the 30th Southeast Asian Games taking place here in the Philippines.
With that, the Gilas program pioneer said that he will be attending the Nationals’ practice on Monday.
“Yeah, I told [Coach Tim Cone] earlier that I am gonna join the practice on Monday.”
