Super Marcio: An Underrated Superstar

Photo by the PBA Media Bureau

Most people are forgetting that Marcio Lassiter has been hitting big shots for the Beermen, too

When you talk about the San Miguel Beermen who are about to start their title defense when they take on the Magnolia Hotshots in Game 1 of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals tonight, you will need to talk about how powerful their starting line up is. At center position, they have the Kraken, June Mar Fajardo who is gunning for his record-setting 5th MVP award. You have Arwind Santos who can shoot threes or slash to the basket for a dunk. Then, the dynamic backcourt duo of Alex Cabagnot and Chris Ross. At the three spot, Marcio Lassiter, the least recognized member of Coach Leo Austria's Fab Five.

Unlike his more famous teammates, Marcio Lassiter has no MVP awards or even a Best Player of the Conference recognition. Funniest thing of all, he wasn't even included in last season's Mythical Team when 4 of his fellow starters were included. Yes, he is a 4-time PBA All-star but was snubbed twice back in 2015 and 2016 when the Beermen were at the height of their reign. Despite receiving fewer recognitions, it didn't stop Lassiter from continuously hit big shots after big shots for San Miguel.

Imagine this, the Beermen would have become the laughingstock of the league if Lassiter wasn't around to hit that clutch basket against the Kia Picanto. And back in Game of their semifinal series against the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings, Ginebra would have tied the series at 1-1 if not to Lassiter who grabbed that offensive rebound and hit the game-winning putback during the dying seconds of the overtime period.

If anything, Marcio Lassiter is one of the reasons why the Beermen are back in the Philippine Cup Finals for the 4th consecutive season and are seasoned to win their fourth all-Filipino championship.  He averaged 16 points per during the elimination phase but come the semifinals against Ginebra, he raised his numbers to 20 points per game and causing the biggest problem for Coach Tim Cone.

Marcio Lassiter may be the league's most feared threat from the three-point but he is more than just that now. He has invested in adding new weapons to his arsenal such as the ability to run the fastbreak and finish in the basket and, his mid-range js. 

Conclusion

Sure, defending June Mar Fajardo is among the top priorities of Chito Victolero but one thing they shouldn't do is forget about Marcio Lassiter. Ginebra clearly didn't solve the Lassiter Puzzle and it doomed them. Magnolia should be careful not to let Super Marcio wreck havoc or this championship series will be done earlier than expected.