Tag: Marcio

Marcio dagger has changed complexion of series

On: By: admin


Marcio Lassiter is more focused on the Beermen’s title bid than he is on his chase of a cherished league record. —PBA IMAGES

Frosty for most of Friday night, San Miguel Beer marksman Marcio Lassiter came through in the final moments of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals, bailing the much-fancied Beermen out from what would have been a 0-2 hole against hard-fighting Meralco.

Despite a 1-for-7 shooting going into that final play, Lassiter hit a step-back triple from the left wing with 13.2 seconds remaining to give the Beermen the lead. It turned out to be the basket the defending champions needed to ultimately level the best-of-seven championship series to a game apiece.

“We just knew if I get to my spot and just read the defense—that was all I really needed,” he told reporters on the heels of the 95-94 escape act fashioned out before a decent-sized crowd at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

“Anytime I can get a good look and see the rim, I really feel like I [can hit it]. I’ve done it a few times before so I just tried to stay poised,” he added.

Lassiter is a holdover of San Miguel’s fabled starting unit dubbed the “Death Five.” Him, Chris Ross, along with reigning Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo are all shooting for their 11th PBA crown.

Teammate Jericho Cruz believes that winning so much in the past has sharpened Lassiter for such clutch situations.

“They’ve been here long enough. They’ve been in the league for quite a while. I bet we can no longer count the number of game-winning shots he has made,” the sparkplug guard said of Lassiter, a 13-year veteran.

CJ Perez’s equally resilient performance set the stage up for the game-winner, as the spitfire guard was also having a rough shooting by going 11-for-27 before hitting a triple of his own that allowed the Beermen to pull within one, 93-92, with 22 seconds to go.

Perez wound up with a career playoff-high 34 points, while Lassiter had six.

“[Marcio], Chris, June Mar, right? For me, as long as they’re inside, we’re confident that we could win the game,” Cruz went on. “I just hope this goes on until we become champions again.”

Marcio Lassiter just needed small opening for winner

On: By: admin


Meralco Bolts’ Marcio Lassier during the PBA Philippine Cup Finals Game 2 against San Miguel Beermen. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

SCHEDULE: PBA Philippine Cup Finals San Miguel vs Meralco

MANILA, Philippines—Just a clear look at the basket. That was all Marcio Lassiter needed to bring the PBA Philippine Cup Finals between San Miguel and Meralco to a 1-1 deadlock

At the tail-end of a thrilling Game 2 between the Beermen and the Bolts, Meralco held a precarious two-point lead, 94-92, with 20 seconds to go in the fourth.

When San Miguel needed someone to pull them out of the gutter, Marcio Lassiter reminded everyone why he’s closing in on being the player with the most made three-point baskets in the PBA.

READ: PBA Finals: Meralco quickly moves on from Game 2 heartbreak

“Coming down, I was just thinking; if the shot’s there, just take it,” said Lassiter after the 95-94 victory for the Beermen.

“I think CJ (Perez) even told me to be ready when he (Chris Banchero) was at the free throw line. I just knew if I can get to my spot, read the defense and pump fake, I can be open. I got a good look at the basket and that’s all I really need.”

Meralco had several chances to seal the deal and take a 2-0 lead, but the game breaks cost the Bolts big time.

Banchero, who finished with 16 points, could’ve given Meralco a 3-point cushion but split the all-important freebies after Lassiter fouled him in the dying seconds of the game.

Lassiter saw that as the perfect opening—and that’s all “Super Marcio” ever really needs.

“Anytime I can get a good look and see the rim, I really feel like I can make it. A few times before, I was able to stay poised and when given an opportunity, I take it. Credit to CJ for keeping his head up and finding me in the corner.”

READ: PBA record can wait as Marcio Lassiter shoots for another title

Lassiter only finished with six points and before his game-winner, the  Gilas Pilipinas gunner struggled the field with a 1-for-7 shooting clip.

Lassiter understood the situation, saying Meralco had good things in mind by limiting the Beermen from shooting perimeter buckets.

“There’s nothing you can do to stop all of us but you can contain certain things and they wanted to contain some outside shooting today, it seems like… If there was a slither or opening, that’s when I have to be ready and take that shot,” he said.

With the series tied at one game a piece, Lassiter understands that the series is far from over, with both games in the Finals so far, having a point differential of below double digits.

Only one squad will take the 2-1 advantage this Sunday at the same venue, though, and the sharpshooter expects nothing more than another dogfight come Game 3.

“It’s too early. We know it’s going to grind out games this whole series. We can’t expect them to just roll over, they’re a good team. That’s why they’re in the Finals. They’re well-coached and we have to make adjustments.”