Lassiter ready to play hard always.
MANILA, Philippines—It was almost fitting how during this particular practice session a day before the Powerade Tigers were to debut in the Commissioner’s Cup, Marcio Lassiter scrimmaged wearing a jersey with no name.
In the eye of the storm lately through nothing of his doing, there was hardly any trace of uncertainty in the rookie sensation, who is still awaiting word on whether he will continue remaining with the Tigers or start a new chapter of his career with the Petron Blaze Boosters.
Instead, on an overcast Thursday morning, Lassiter focused on the things he had control over—like actual basketball.
“As a player, all I can do is just play basketball. All my focus is worrying about our team, Powerade, and how many wins we could get,” Lassiter told Inquirer.net shortly after the team’s practice at Cuneta Astrodome.
On Monday though, Lassiter will be the subject of a decision PBA commissioner Chito Salud will have to make: Whether or not to approve the trade which would send the former Smart Gilas star to Petron in exchange for Rey Guevarra and Nonoy Baclao.
Thus, when Powerade debuts Friday versus Rain or Shine, a rematch of the fiesty semifinals series in the Philippine Cup, Lassiter might be playing his final game with the Tigers.
But Lassiter, recognizing factors beyond basketball, just wouldn’t allow the external choices affect was he does on the court—even if it involves his career.
“You wish you wouldn’t hear it (trade talks), but you have to hear it,” Lassiter said. “I just got to face the fact that when it’s time to go, it’s time to go.”
The six-foot-three guard admits that he was shocked when he finally figured out what was going on after the rumors exploded over the Internet recently.
“I was hoping it was just rumors, but when I finally realized what was going on, I was shocked,” said Lassiter. “But I guess that’s any body’s initial feeling if you’re gonna get traded. You’re kind of surprised.”
Lassiter was an integral part in Powerade’s meteoric rise from underdogs to tough contenders last conference. His teamup with the league’s best scorer Gary David made them one of the most lethal threats in the wing.
A potent scorer–having his fare share of 30 point nights in the playoffs, a capable defender and a proven winner, Lassiter was a perfect complement to David’s explosiveness and point guard Jvee Casio’s efficiency.
It was having these pieces working together which made the Tigers tick—and all of the team hoped it would last long.
“You know, right now, we have something good and we’re trying to continue this streak we have of playing well together as team,” Lassiter shared.
Lassiter has been going to practice, running through the set plays and doing extra shooting with the coaches, like there was no big decision dangling over him and the squad.
There was no odd feeling of not belonging—even if he could be playing against them in the next game.
“I feel comfortable here, this is my second family. Every time we step on the court, we have fun,” Lassiter said. “ I’m going to continue to play hard for as many games as I have [with them.]”
Head coach Bo Perasol believes Lassiter will be the same type of player wherever he goes, no matter what type of system he plays for.
“He’s a guy who’s going to prove himself wherever he is,” Perasol said. “He understands the business and he knows that doesn’t matter what team he’s going to play in because he’s going to be good in there.”
Lassiter sees the same thing in himself.
“If I get shipped around 10 times, 20 times, one time, two times, I will be ready regardless,” Lassiter said. “More likely you won’t stay in one team anyway for your whole career. It was bound to happen, you just got to realize it’s part of the game.”
Just give him a ball, a basketball court, a team to play for and Lassiter will give everything asked of him.
“To me, all that matters is if I’m on the court. You can give me jersey with no name and no number and I’ll play. You wouldn’t have to know my name—I’d rather be that [anonymous] guy.”
Just like he almost was in practice.