AS June Mar Fajardo was slowed down by a suspected hand fracture he sustained in the third quarter, Marcio Lassiter took over the closeout chores for San Miguel Beer.
Lassiter fired all his 23 in the second half to spark the Beermen to a 115-110 victory over Rain or Shine, 115-110, in Wednesday night's PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Playing only his second game back from ankle injury, Lassiter caught fire and knocked down six triples, making three of them in the final push highlighted by a pivotal long bomb that snapped a 108-standoff with 43.5 seconds left.
Coach Jorge Gallent said the Fil-Am sniper was the game-changer in SMB's third straight win after dropping its opening assignment.
"He wasn't able to practice for about 12 to 15 days but today he proved his worth. That's the Marcio Lassiter we know," said Gallent of the Fil-Am sniper.
Sponsored content: Lassiter struggled early on, missing all three attempts from deep in the first 24 minutes. After restart, he went 6-of-6 from beyond the arc and 8-of-10 from the field.
"I thank my teammates and coaches for trusting me. My teammates found me tonight. My shots didn't go in the first half even though I got good looks. I kept at it and once I got one, I finally got my rhythm and I kept going after that, said Lassiter.
The veteran shooter worked side by side with CJ Perez in towing the Beermen to the finish line.
Perez dropped 14 of his 17 in the second half. He had nine in the fourth spiked by crucial buckets, steals, triple, and free throws that kept SMB's head above water amid heavy pressure from ROS.
Ivan Aska topscored with 28, including nine in the windup, plus 12 rebounds in a foul-riddled outing for SMB.
Sponsored content: Fajardo banged in 16 before hurting his left hand in the third. He returned briefly in the fourth with a heavily-tapped hand but managed only four minutes of action before heading back to the bench with still five minutes to play.
SMB sent winless ROS reeling to its fifth straight loss while spoiling the 33-point career game of Gian Mamuyac and the debut of import Demetrius Treadwell, who produced eight markers and 15 boards. (OL)
The Scores:
San Miguel 115 - Aska 28, Lassiter 23, Perez 17, Fajardo 16, Cruz 10, Enciso 6, Ross 6, Bulaandi 5, Brondial 4, Tautuaa 0.
Rain or Shine 110- Mamuyac 33, Nambatac 16, Clarito 14, Nocum 12, Caracut 9, Treadwell 8, Borboran 7, Demusis 5, Belga 3, Belo 2, Santillan 1.
Quarters: 21-32, 53-53, 85-86, 115-110
