MARCIO Lassiter moved closer to a historic career milestone as San Miguel got back at NLEX, 119-114, on Wednesday in the PBA 49th Season Governors’ Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Lassiter moved past Allan Caidic to No. 2 in the most career three-pointers made after making four threes in the win for a total of 1,243, moving him seven shy of tying Jimmy Alapag for most in league history.
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Lassiter’s final three of the game was not only a milestone but also enabled San Miguel to grab a 105-100 lead after being down by nine in the third quarter, enough for the Beermen to improve their record to 4-2 in Group A.
SMB also avenged its 108-102 defeat against NLEX in Cagayan De Oro City last August 31.
“I just told them in the second half that we just have to have pride playing our one-on-one defense so there won’t be any overhelping,” said San Miguel coach Jorge Gallent. “They did very well in the second half. There were mistakes but it wasn’t as much as in the first half.”
CJ Perez had 24 points and five rebounds including four free throws in the end game that settled the final score. June Mar Fajardo added 17 points and nine rebounds.
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But the spotlight belonged to Lassiter, who hit three threes as he recaptured his usual fiery form after a slow start to the conference.
It was also the first game of Sheldon Mac in a San Miguel uniform after he took over the spot of Jordan Adams. He did most of the load in scoring where he had 16 points but only had one rebound, one assist, one steal, and one block.
Robert Bolick had 24 points and 15 assists, the second-best of his career, while Michael Miranda had 18 points on 4-of-8 shooting from threes.
The scores:
San Miguel 119 – Perez 24, Fajardo 17, Lassiter 17, Mac 16, Trollano 16, Romeo 13, Cruz 10, Ross 3, Tautuaa 2, Brondial 1, Rosales 0, Nava 0.
NLEX 114 – Bolick 24, Miranda 18, Henry 17, Valdez 15, Rodger 11, Amer 10, Herndon 9, Policarpio 4, Marcelo 4, Fajardo 2, Nermal 0.
Quarters: 27-23; 57-57; 86-92; 119-114.
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