San Miguel survives Kia in thriller, nears twice-to-beat

Marcio Lassiter saves the day for San Miguel. PBA IMAGES

San Miguel is one step away from clinching twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals after edging Kia, 108-106, in a thriller in the PBA Philippine Cup Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The league-leading Beermen, who played without four-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, improved to 8-2 and are waiting for the result of the game between Rain or Shine and Alaska in the second to secure the incentive.

Although Kia sits at the bottom of standings with a 1-10 record, the Picanto held their ground late in the fourth with a 106-102 lead with 1:02 left in the game.

Marcio Lassiter, however, shone in the clutch for San Miguel, first tying the game at 106-106 with 48 seconds left hitting a three-pointer.

He then drove for a layup for the Beermen’s 108-106 lead with just a second remaining.

“That play was a creation between Marcio and Chris [Ross], it was an option they got and it was their basketball sense that made it work,” said San Miguel head coach Leo Austria in Filipino.

“Marcio and Chris saw an opportunity where they had an advantage, but if that didn’t happen it would’ve been a disaster us.”

Arwind Santos took up the scoring cudgels for San Miguel with 27 points with 12 rebounds and five assists.

Lassiter finished with 21 points for San Miguel while shooting 5-of-13 from deep.

Glenn Khobuntin had 15 points to lead the Picanto.