Marcio Lassiter hits game-winner as Beermen clinch 4th spot, eliminate Aces

San Miguel concluded its 2021 PBA Philippine Cup elimination round campaign by knocking out Alaska, 101-100, Wednesday night at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

Marcio Lassiter converted a game-winning three-pointer with 3.8 seconds left to put an end to Alaska’s playoff chances.

With 17.6 seconds left on the game clock, the 27-time PBA champs ran a sideline out-of-bounds play off a timeout that led to a go-ahead basket by the 4th overall pick of the 2011 draft.

The Beermen moved one stop closer into their goal of re-claiming the All-Filipino crown as they enter the Philippine Cup playoffs as the 4th seed.

CJ Perez topscored for the Leo Austria-mentored squad with 20 points on 8-of-17 shooting to go along with 6 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 assists while June Mar Fajardo posted a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds. Chris Ross contributed 17 points, 5 assists and 2 rebounds.

“Kailangan naming ipanalo yung game na ‘to kasi yung momentum papuntang playoffs. Gusto ni coach (Leo Austria) na maganda ang laruin namin para sa playoffs hindi kami re-relax relax.” said Perez

“Syempre thank you sa mga coaches sa tiwala and sa mga players,” he added.

The Aces had a chance to climb to 8th spot in the Philippine Cup rankings but failed to overcome the endgame surge of the Beermen.

Abu Tratter led the Wilfred Uytengsu-owned franchise with 24 points on 64% shooting from the field while Rodney Brondial racked up 17 points to go along with 12 rebounds. Robbie Herndon added 15 points, 2 rebounds and 2 assists.

The scores:

San Miguel 101 – Perez 20, Ross 17, Fajardo 17, Tautuaa 15, Lassiter 13, Pessumal 9, Santos 7, Zamar 3, Gamalinda 0.

Alaska 100 – Tratter 24, Brondial 17, Herndon 15, Casio 11, DiGregorio 9, Teng 9, Ahanmisi 5, Banal 3, Adamos 3, Ilagan 2, Stockton 2.

Quarterscores: 33-19, 43-47, 75-77, 101-100.