San Miguel overcomes Mamuyac, Rain or Shine as vintage Lassiter shows up

San Miguel overcame a slow start and defeated Rain or Shine, 115-110, Wednesday night in the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Despite trailing by 13 points, the Beermen managed to stage a comeback, even with Gian Mamuyac’s impressive 33-point performance for the Elasto Painters.

San Miguel’s import, Ivan Aska, led the team in scoring with 28 points, but it was Marcio Lassiter who had the biggest impact. Lassiter scored 13 of his 23 points in the second half, helping the team turn the game around against the Yeng Guiao-mentored squad.

CJ Perez contributed 17 points, while June Mar Fajardo added 16 markers.

“I just gotta thank my teammates. My teammates found me tonight,” said Lassiter. “It just didn’t go in the first half, but once I found the rhythm I kept going after that.”

The Elasto Painters got off to a strong start, taking a 32-21 lead thanks to Mamuyac’s impressive 13-point outburst.

However, San Miguel fought back in the second quarter and made it a more exciting game, going on a 9-0 scoring run to tie the game at 53-all by halftime.

The third period was a close battle between both teams, but San Miguel took the lead at the beginning of the fourth quarter with Aska scoring six consecutive points for a 91-86 advantage.

Belga’s three-pointer and consecutive baskets by Mamuyac and Treadwell tied the game at 101-all. Aska’s jumper briefly gave the Beermen the lead, but Clarito’s free throws brought the score level once again with 56 seconds left.

Then, Aska assisted Lassiter, who made a three-pointer to put the Beermen ahead, 111-108, with 43 seconds remaining. That shot marked the downfall of the Elasto Painters.

Free throws by Lassiter and Chris Ross sealed the deal for the Beermen.

“Today, he proved his worth,” said SMB coach Jorge Gallent of Lassiter. “That’s the Marcio Lassiter we all know. I’m very happy for his game and I hope he keeps it up.”