Marcio Lassiter threw the haymaker as San Miguel took down Rain or Shine in a slugfest, 115-110, for its third successive win in the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup, Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The veteran sniper broke the 108-all deadlock with a booming trifecta against the defense of Jhonard Clarito with 43.6 seconds left to play, before Chris Ross’ split from the foul line moments later all but sealed the victory for the Beermen.
Now in his second game back since recovering from an ankle injury, Lassiter went 6-of-9 from beyond the arc on the way to 23 points as SMB joined Phoenix Super LPG at second in the standings with a 4-1 record.
“He wasn’t in practice for 10 to 15 days, but today, he proved his worth,” head coach Jorge Gallent said of Lassiter. “That’s the Marcio Lassiter we all know.”
Import Ivan Aska finished with 28 points on a 50-percent shooting clip from the floor, alongside 12 rebounds, four assists, and three blocks to top-bill for San Miguel, who battled back from an early 13-point deficit.
CJ Perez delivered another double-double of his own with 17 and 12 with five dimes while June Mar Fajardo made 16 points and seven rebounds.
The reigning seven-time MVP, though, finished the game with his left hand taped up after suffering an injury at the 9:48-mark of the third.
The Beermen will have the luxury of respite before returning to action on December 8 against NorthPort at the Philsports Arena. Game is at 8 p.m.
Gian Mamuyac and his career-high outing of 33 points, on the other hand, went in vain as Rain or Shine absorbed its fifth loss in as many games.
Wasted, too, were the season-high performances of Rey Nambatac (16 points) and Clarito (14 points), as well as the solid debut of rookie Adrian Nocum, who finished with 12 points days after being signed to a two-year deal.
The Elasto Painters will have another crack at a breakthrough win against the skidding Blackwater (1-4) on Saturday, December 2, also at Philsports.
The Scores:
San Miguel 115 – Aska 28, Lassiter 23, Perez 17, Fajardo 16, Cruz 10, Enciso 6, Ross 6, Bulanadi 5, Brondial 4, Tautuaa 0.
Rain or Shine 110– Mamuyac 33, Nambatac 16, Clarito 14, Nocum 12, Caracut 9, Treadwell 8, Borboran 7, Demusis 5, Belga 3, Belo 2, Santillan 1.
Quarterscores: 21-32, 53-53, 85-86, 115-110.
