Marcio Lassiter is hell-bent on playing big minutes for the San Miguel Beermen in tonight’s third game of their PBA Philippine Cup showdown with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel after missing the crucial stages of Sunday’s loss in Lucena City for two technical fouls.
Lassiter committed a Flagrant Foul 1 on Ginebra rookie Kevin Ferrer in the second quarter before getting tossed in the third quarter of the 124-118 overtime loss for taunting guard Sol Mercado after sinking a three-pointer.
“I’ll definitely stay in the game, we don’t want to get any ejection,” said Lassiter, known in the league as ‘Super Marcio’ for his long three-point bombs.
He sparked SMB’s comeback from a 26-point second quarter deficit by firing 16 of his 21 points in the third period.
However, Lassiter was sent to the showers after burying his final triple – a tough step-back against Mercado – that trimmed Ginebra’s lead to 84-82 when he held his hand up, apparently long enough for a follow-through prompting the referee to slap him a technical for taunting.
While Lassiter respected the referee’s decision, he insisted that it was not meant to rub Mercado the wrong way.
“What happened was really unfortunate, I found my shooting stroke during that third quarter run… then I got a technical. I don’t know. I didn’t taunt Sol, or any of the (Ginebra) players. I have so much respect for them. I don’t do that (taunting),” said Lassiter, who averages 14.5 points in the series.
“It was just a (form of) celebration ‘coz I was pumped up after making my fourth three during that run. I was all pumped up. I was surprised the ref called a technical. But… it happened, and I’m moving on,” said Lassiter.
Lassiter’s absence turned out to be a huge factor for the Beermen, who despite taking the lead late in regulation failed to finish off Ginebra.
“I got ejected, but the thing is, we also had foul troubles in Game 2. June Mar (Fajardo) and Chris (Ross) fouled out, Arwind (Santos) had five fouls. So we got to figure that out, we have to stay in the game,” said Lassiter.
Meanwhile, Star is bringing in a new import in Tony Mitchell as the Hotshots try to improve from their semifinal stint in preparation for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup set to start March 17.
Star team governor Rene Pardo confirmed this yesterday and said management is finalizing the contract for the 6-foot-9 Mitchell, a draft choice of the Detroit Pistons in the NBA.
Alvin Patrimonio, the Hotshots team manager, is the one dealing with Mitchell and Pardo said they expect their new import to be in town before they resume their practice session.
“Ang nakikipag-usap si Alvin, siya din ang nagpa-finalize ng contract,” Pardo told Bulletin-Tempo in a phone interview. “Pero done deal na yun. We’ll have Mitchell as import next conference.”
“We expect him to be here March 3 or 4 before bumalik ang team sa ensayo. Importante kasi na ma-acclimatize siya sa weather dito; first time niya sa Pilipinas so kailangan na maka-adjust,” added Pardo.
Even with Mitchell coming in, however, Pardo isn’t discounting the possibility of bringing in former import Ricardo Ratliffe, who played for them last season in the Commissioner’s Cup.
The team actually wants the 6-foot-10 Ratliffe, but he is currently under contract with the Samsung Seoul Thunders, leaders in the Korean Basketball League.