IT’S ‘CIO TIME

Lassiter taking over all-time three-point record now a matter of when; conversation with current holder coming soon

Marcio Lassiter is eight triples within the all-time PBA record. —PHOTOS BY PBA IMAGES

Marcio Lassiter has yet to touch base with Jimmy Alapag, the current all-time leader in three-pointers made in the PBA.

The San Miguel Beer veteran is certain to replace the TNT legend on top of the record books—a record-breaking feat that’s now just a matter of when.

And when that happens, Lassiter is sure there will be eventually a good conversation between the two great shooters.

“For sure he knows, but we’ll have that talk soon,” Lassiter said after getting past another legend, Allan Caidic, for No. 2 in the all-time list in San Miguel Beer’s 119-114 win over NLEX in the PBA Governors’ Cup.

Lassiter knocked down career triple No. 1,243 with 6:50 left in the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s game at Ninoy Aquino Stadium and he now needs just eight three-pointers to overtake Alapag, who has held the mark of 1,250 since playing his final PBA game in 2016.

The PBA legend has since blazed another trail, this time on the coaching scene, after being hired as an assistant with the Sacramento Kings in the NBA.

While the two are on different sides of the Pacific, there’s no reason for them to one day have a conversation about the impending change in the record books.

June Mar Fajardo cooks up another solid performance for San Miguel Beer

San Miguel’s CJ Perez drives against the NLEX defense.

Lost 12 lbs

“We’re kind of cool because I played with him before [as Gilas Pilipinas teammates in the 2011 Fiba Asia Championship in Wuhan, China] and had so many bouts with him. And to be close to him is a great honor, to be even in the same presence,” said Lassiter.

“I’m sure the conversation will happen soon. He’s out in the States, but I know we can reach out,” he added.

Lassiter finished with 17 points in Wednesday night’s victory, perhaps his best game since he was slowed down early in the group stage due to an undisclosed sickness, even losing 12 pounds in the process. More importantly, San Miguel improved to 4-2 for joint second with Barangay Ginebra in Group B.

CJ Perez and June Mar Fajardo were also key for the Beermen, who avenged their 112-108 overtime loss to the Road Warriors last Aug. 31 in Cagayan de Oro City.

New import Sheldon Mac came in as a replacement for Jordan Adams.

New import Sheldon Mac, who replaced Jordan Adams, scored 16 points in a decent debut, but coach Jorge Gallent is keeping a patient approach on the former Washington Wizard.

NLEX lost three in a row on the day it revealed that a trade proposal was sent to the league office for the acquisition of Javee Mocon from Phoenix in exchange for Ato Ular and a future second rounder.

The Road Warriors also played their last game with Myke Henry, with apparent replacement Dequan Jones spotted watching from the stands after having already met with coach Jong Uichico and the team. INQ