Lassiter says had no intention to hurt Cruz: ‘I went for the ball’
Jericho Cruz stretched out after sustaining an injury. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
With five seconds left in Game 3 of the San Miguel-Rain or Shine series, Marcio Lassiter gave up a duty foul on Jericho Cruz; unfortunately the latter fell awkwardly on one leg resulting in an injury for the already depleted Elasto Painters.
Lassiter said he had no intention of hurting Cruz and the foul was given up to stop the clock as the Beermen trailed, 107-106.
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“I went for the ball and that was it,” Lassiter said Saturday after they lost 111-106 and go down 2-1 in the series. “There were no intentions of hurting Jericho.”
He said he went up to Cruz when the Rain or Shine guard clutched his left leg and grimaced his pain and told him he merely went for the ball.
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Prior to the fall, Cruz tapped the ball away from June Mar Fajardo, who grabbed Lassiter’s miss, and went streaking down the baseline.
“When I saw him fall to the floor, I went to tap his leg telling him what I’m telling you guys right now that I had not intentions of hurting him,” Lassiter said. “I’m not that kind of player.”
