SINKING game-winners at crunch time has become a habit for Marcio Lassiter.
Called “Super Marcio,” the 10-year veteran nailed a close range buzzer-beater on Thursday to lift San Miguel Beer past TNT Tropang Giga, 98-96, to tie their best-of-seven semifinals series at 1-1.
Lassiter could again find himself at the right place at the right time in Game 3 of the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup series that is set for 6 p.m. on Friday at the Don Honorio Ventura State University gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
“I just love making winning plays—and that’s my motto ever since,” Lassiter told BusinessMirror on Thursday. “It’s good to have a habit like that, but I’m just always in a good or right position.”
“For me, I’m just trying to be ready anytime, anywhere,” said Marcio the fourth overall pick by the defunct Powerade squad in 2011. “I know my strength which is shooting all the time.”
The 34-year-old shooting guard has been a Beerman for nine straight seasons. He played a major role in the 2016 Philippine Cup “Beeracle” where San Miguel Beer overhauled a 0-3 Finals series deficit to win the crown over Alaska.
But Lassiter, father of four boys—Montae (12), Myles (8), Marcel (5) and Melo (4)—with wife Jerlyn, said winning time is not just all about making a shot with a fraction of a second left, but also making the best decision when necessary.
“It could be a rebound, a pass or anything,” Lassiter said. “But I’m so thankful that we’re winning as a team.”
Lassiter said be believes TNT will make adjustments in Game 3 as the Tropang Giga will still play without Kelly Williams (health protocols).
“There’s going to be a lot of adjustments especially in the shaded lane,” he said. “They will quickly double June Mar [Fajardo] once he gets the ball down low, so we have to find ways to be open.”
Magnolia, meanwhile, goes up for a commanding 3-0 lead over Meralco in the other semifinals at 3 p.m.
The Bolts will be playing without Raymond Almazan who sprained his left ankle in Game 2.
“Without Raymond, we will just go ahead with what we have and the other guys will have to step up,” Meralco coach Norman Black said.