San Miguel’s Marcio Lassiter celebrates with the Beermen after breaking the PBA all-time 3-point record.–PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—San Miguel Beer had several motivations on its way to hammering out its most dominant win in franchise history. Marcio Lassiter’s historic night was one of them.
The Beermen dumped Barangay Ginebra, 131-82, in Group B play of the PBA Governors’ Cup on Sunday on the same night Lassiter stood atop the league’s all-time 3-point ladder.
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“Definitely, it was a motivation for us,” said SMB coach Jorge Gallent on Sunday at Araneta Coliseum.
“When Marcio talked to us, he said even if he breaks it [record], it’ll be useless if we lose the game. Everybody was really pumped up with his pep talk.”
READ: Marcio Lassiter sets PBA all-time 3-point record
San Miguel Beer sniper and the PBA’s newest king in three-pointers made alongside coach Jorge Gallent after their convincing win over Ginebra. @INQUIRERSports https://t.co/UcVvs0DIqG pic.twitter.com/JXfARLr94w
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) September 15, 2024
Needing to make three triples to set the record, Lassiter wasted little time and shattered the mark–previously held by Jimmy Alapag–in the first quarter after hitting his 1,251st that also set the tone for San Miguel.
The party started early for the Beermen, who zoomed to a 37-13 lead, and it continued until the final buzzer.
“We just had to start strong and help Marcio finish the job he’s supposed to do, that’s why they gave him the ball a lot and that’s why I made a lot of plays in the start so he could focus on defense after,” said the top coach.
Ginebra never threatened as it suffered its worst loss in franchise history.
Lassiter torched the Gin Kings with 18 points–all on 3-pointers.
READ: PBA: Marcio Lassiter, San Miguel whip Ginebra for quarters spot
“We had a good winning streak and wanted to keep it going,” said Lassiter.
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“We knew this was a big game and I put that more into perspective rather than today’s individual award but at the same time we all knew what was at stake. It was great to get that [record] out the way because I knew that the biggest thing was to get this win and help us keep going,” added the newest name in the PBA history books.
With the win, San Miguel Beer secured a quarterfinal slot and moved on top of Group B with a 6-2 record.