PBA Finals: Lassiter rues blown chance for SMB to take series lead

San Miguel Beer swingman Marcio Lassiter gestures during Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—San Miguel swingman Marcio Lassiter lamented what could’ve been another Beermen game for the taking.

Instead of gaining the upper hand in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals against Meralco, it was the Beermen who were back to playing catchup down 2-1 in the title series.

The worst part about losing Game 3 for Lassiter and San Miguel was the fact that the game could’ve gone either way.

READ: PBA Finals: Chris Newsome, Meralco deliver own dagger in Game 3

“Obviously it’s a tough loss like Game 2 was a tough loss on them. It’s going to be a long series but we got our heads up. We could’ve won that game too with breaks of the game,” said Lassiter, who scored 12 points and five rebounds on Sunday.

“We didn’t capitalize on a few things, obviously rebounding and some late-game shots but all in all, we know we could do better.”

But despite playing hard-nosed defense late in the game, the Bolts just knew how to respond down the stretch with Chris Newsome hitting a clutch 3-pointer reminiscent of Lassiter’s triple in the waning seconds of Game 2.

READ: PBA Finals: Meralco escapes San Miguel for 2-1 series edge

“Breaks of the game,” as Lassiter would say but Newsome’s clutch bucket also made Lassiter realize what this series has become for them and Meralco.

“It seems like it’s [always] all coming down to one possession. Each possession’s crucial.”

The Beermen look to equalize in Game 4 on Wednesday still at the Big Dome.