WHILE his team San Miguel Beer (SMB) is making a run at a 30th PBA crown, Fil-Am sniper Marcio Lassiter is making an assault on the league’s record books.
Mr. Lassiter climbed to third overall in the PBA’s all-time list of most three points made after knocking down three treys in SMB’s 106-89 rout of Rain or Shine (ROS) in Game 2 of the Philippine Cup semifinal series last Sunday. With 1,219 triples in his pocket, Mr. Lassiter is now ahead of Ginebra’s LA Tenorio (1,218) and well on track to potentially dislodge a couple more retired greats atop the roster of elite gunners — No. 1 Jimmy Alapag (1,250) and No. 2 Allan Caidic (1,242).
“The next two are great legends, obviously. Two GOATs. One has the record, and the second is I feel like the GOAT of shooting,” said Lassiter.
The sweet-shooting SMB vet averages two three-pointers per game in the ongoing All-Filipino, where the Beermen enjoy a 2-0 margin versus ROS in a race-to-four. At this rate, he might even surpass Mr. Caidic before Season 48 is over then eventually Mr. Alapag in the next.
“When that time comes, that will be a very special moment for me,” he said.
Lassiter maintained there’s no conscious effort to gun for the existing records. But as he gets closer and closer, it’s becoming quite difficult to set such thoughts aside.
“I try not to think about it. But it’s kind of hard when I look up at the scoreboard, and like, ‘oh, there’s my numbers game,’” the 37-year-old rifleman said. “Mentally, I’d just have the same approach as the next-play mentality. If I keep doing that, I can truly just focus on the present.”
Lassiter shared this milestone to his teammates, who have been helpful in conjuring opportunities for his long bombs.
Beermen coach Jorge Gallent said there’s no special plays designed to fast-track Lassiter’s ascent. — Olmin Leyba
