Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—If there is a player in this series who’s glad to get his rhythm back, it has to be San Miguel’s Marcio Lassiter.
The Beermen’s reliable wingman was flat the first four games of the series before turning things around in Games 5 and 6 just in time for the PBA Philippine Cup finale against Magnolia.
Lassiter averaged just 6.8 points through Games 1 to 4 then, found his groove in Games 5 and 6 where he averaged 20 points per outing.
The 31-year-old Lassiter played a vital role in Game 6 as San Miguel evened the series and forced a deciding seventh game on Wednesday, keeping the Beermen’s bid for a fifth straight Philippine Cup alive.
“It was falling tonight. I was kind of mixing it up, going inside and cutting,” said Lassiter after the Beermen’s 98-86 win Saturday at Smart Araneta Coliseum. “Coach [Leo Austria] was telling me to attack more, and I was fortunate to get my first three go in.”
Lassiter’s Game 6 performance was also his best shooting night in the series as he converted 50 percent from the field, 7-of-14, including 3-of-6 from the three-point line.
Making Lassiter’s job lighter was the mere presence of five-time MVP June Mar Fajardo who constantly demanded double-teams that opened his teammates from the perimeter.
“I was getting more and more comfortable and the guys were sharing the ball, that’s what we always do, and we’re just continuously sharing the ball,” said Lassiter.
“The main focus is June Mar, and I just want to be there when they double, just to give more opportunity for him to work in the post and space the floor.”
Lassiter added that San Miguel has to be mentally ready come Game 7 even if it has more experience playing in do-or-die situations.
In the past five years under Leo Austria, the Beermen have played in two finals Game 7s and won.
“We’ve been in Game 7s before, and we’ll definitely bank on our experience to carry us,” said Lassiter. “At the same time we know it’s not going to be easy because both teams want to really win this game, and we know it’s going to be a grind out game.”
“From this point we have to mentally prepare ourselves. We know it’s going to be a tough battle, so we just have to come out there and stay focused, stay locked in.”