SAN Miguel Beer just couldn’t afford to lose one of the key players responsible for the team’s run of PBA championships the past few seasons.
The Beermen reached a three-year deal with Marcio Lassiter recently that guaranteed the return of one of the league’s deadliest gunners for the Beermen starting in their campaign this coming 43rd season.
Marvin Espiritu, who represents the 30-year-old Fil-Am forward from San Francisco, California, confirmed the contract signing, but failed to mention the terms of the deal.
Any which way, champion coach Leo Austria stressed Lassiter deserved well whatever amount given him by San Miguel management.
“Marcio is deserving to have a contract extension and I’m very happy for him,” said Austria on Saturday. “I know he still has a lot of years left for him to play.”
Since being acquired by San Miguel in a trade with Powerade in 2012, Lassiter has become a major factor in the organization’s success as he helped the Beermen win a total of five championships, including the last three Philippine Cup titles that allowed the team to bag the perpetual Emilio ‘Jun’ Bernardino trophy.
The re-signing of Lassiter meant the Beermen will have their ‘Fab Five’ back as they defend the all-Filipino Cup starting Dec. 17. Lassiter is joined in the team’s starting unit by four-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, veteran guard Alex Cabagnot, former MVP Arwind Santos, and two-time PBA Press Corps Defensive Player of the Year Chris Ross.
By mid-season, San Miguel is expected to get on board no. 1 overall pick Christian Standhardinger in time for its title-retention bid for the Commissioner’s Cup.
Meanwhile over at TnT Katropa, Norbert Torres, Frank Golla, and Alex Nuyles were all signed to a one-season contract by the team.
Star also did the same after reaching an agreement with young big man Kyle Pascual.
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