Marcio Lassiter reignites hot hand when San Miguel needed it most

San Miguel guard Marcio Lassiter. PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—Determined to recover from his disaster showing in Game 5, Marcio Lassiter delivered for San Miguel when his team needed it most.

With the Beermen facing elimination, Lassiter delivered 19 points, on 5-of-8 shooting from deep, to help San Miguel take the 103-90 Game 6 win and even the series at 3-3.

A reliable shooter who averaged 12 points a game in the eliminations, Lassiter mustered just five points on 2-of-8 shooting from the field last Wednesday.

“Game 5 just wasn’t my night and when I came into the next game I knew it was a brand new ballgame. I didn’t think about the last game and I focused on what I could do better,” said Lassiter Friday.

“I got prepared and got ready to knock down those shots for tonight. It was also the defense collapsing on our big men so I was given an opportunity to take the shot and it went in.”

TNT was forced to concentrate more of its defense on Moala Tautuaa, who had 24 points, and June Mar Fajardo, who had an 11-point, 14-rebound double-double, and this opened up the wings allowing Lassiter to shoot away.

“I came in prepared, put up shots before the game and just kept on trusting and believing myself,” said Lassiter. “As my teammates were believing in me and passing to me, I just rode that hot hand off.”