By REYNALD MAGALLON
Marcio Lassiter might be struggling with his stroke from deep all-game long but all he needed was a little bit of space and a clear look at the rim to deliver the goods even when the stakes were high.
The veteran gunner just proved how deadly of a sharpshooter he is, draining a cold-blooded triple with 13.2 seconds left to lift San Miguel past Meralco, 95-94, and knot the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup finals at 1-all.
Before that shot, Lassiter was 1-of-7 from the field, including a 1-of-4 clip from deep. But that hardly mattered as he rifled the crucial basket in the tough step back triple and off a pump fake that caught a challenging Bong Quinto up in the air.
“I just knew I got to my spot and just read the defense. I know I had to pump fake to be open but other than that, a good look at the basket, that’s all I really need,” recalled Lassirer on that final play.
“Anytime I can get a good look and see the rim, I really feel like I can make it and I’ve been in (that situation) a few times before. I was just able to stay poised and and given the opportunity I’ll take it,” he added.
Lassiter finished with six points but had the biggest shot in the series for the Beermen so far. Had it not been for that three, SMB would be on a dire 0-2 deficit in the series against what would be an uber-confident Bolts.
The 37-year-old veteran admitted he was actually surprised to be wide open late in the contest especially with how Meralco successfully took away his scoring after firing 16 points on three triples in Game 1.
“I was kinda surprised that I was wide open. Bong had to contest from far away so I saw him from eye jumping so that made me realize I should pump fake. Just get my feet planted and ready to shoot and just go through the motions,” said Lassiter.
“I know my shots are going to be there, a lot of it just by reading Meralco’s defense and they made great adjustments and seem like today they put more focus on me,” he added.
Lassiter may have nailed the big shot but half of the credit goes to CJ Perez according to the SMB wingman. It was Perez’s trey who kept it close down the stretch and it was also him who located Lassiter deep in the left corner from near half court.
“I was just thinking if the shot is there, take it and CJ even said it ‘be ready’ at the free throw line,” said Lassiter.
“Credit to CJ for keeping his head up and finding me in the corner. (It) would not happen if CJ didn’t see me,” he pointed out.
