Lassiter goes from saving a series to helping halt a ‘Slam’
As San Miguel Beer celebrated yet another Philippine Cup title, Marcio Lassiter found himself in a familiar place—both literally and emotionally.
The confetti had barely settled at Philsports Arena when the veteran sharpshooter paused, recalling the echoes of his past. A line from a 2007 anthem of Chicago rock band Fall Out Boy seemed fitting: “One night and one more time, thanks for the memories.”
For Lassiter, Game 6 was less about numbers—he scored just seven points in the Beermen’s 107-96 clincher over TNT—and more about coming full circle. This wasn’t just another championship. It was a sequel played on the same stage where he once helped script one of the PBA’s greatest comebacks.
“The last memory I had here was in the Finals of the ‘Beeracle,’” he said, referencing the memorable 2016 series where San Miguel clawed back from a 0-3 hole against Alaska to win the title and become the first team to overhaul such a deficit. “It’s always been a special gym for me.”
Enduring cast
Back then, it was his 26-point burst in Game 4—also at Philsports—that sparked a turnaround no one saw coming. Nine years later, the stakes were different but the satisfaction just as sweet.
“This might be our first time winning [a championship] in this gym,” Lassiter said as he headed to the locker room, confetti still clinging to his jersey. “It’s another special moment.”
The cast around him has aged but endured. Chris Ross delivered nine points, six rebounds and two steals. June Mar Fajardo, the conference MVP—and a cinch to be the league’s as well, posted 24 points and 12 boards. Together with Lassiter, they silenced a Grand Slam-hunting TNT side and secured the series, 4-2.
“Every time we get to this stage, I want to put on a show,” Lassiter said. “But the ultimate goal is to win.”
And win he did—again. With 11 PBA titles to his name, all with San Miguel, Lassiter continues to find meaning in the journey.
“Each [title] is always special,” he said. “It doesn’t get old. I just want to keep getting to the mountaintop. This feeling is always great. You never want to not be there as a competitor.”
Much like that emo-rock refrain from his earlier playing days, Lassiter left Philsports Arena with a grin and another memory—one more night, one more time.
