Slot open for Marcio in Asiad

MANILA, Philippines - Even as Marcio Lassiter is on AWOL status, Smart-Gilas team manager Frankie Lim and national coach Rajko Toroman confirmed yesterday a waiting slot for the 6-2 Fil-Am guard from California State at Fullerton on the 12-man squad to play at the Asian Games in Guangzhou this November – if he shows up with a reasonable excuse for his absence.

Lassiter, 23, played a key role for Toroman in Smart-Gilas’ fourth place finish at the FIBA-Asia Stankovic Cup in Beirut last month. He averaged 18.3 points and 4.3 triples in his last three games, one of which Smart-Gilas won over Iran, 79-67.

But a few days after returning to Manila from Beirut, Lassiter disappeared. His Filipino agent Caloy Allado said he left hastily for San Francisco to be examined by Dr. Matthew Rivera, a chiropractor who was recommended by his junior college coach.

“Marcio was in a lot of pain and he went to two doctors in Manila but the pain wouldn’t go away,” said Allado. “So he decided to take his former junior college coach’s offer to see Dr. Rivera in San Carlos. Then, I arranged for him to be examined by Dr. Stephen Lombardo.”

It was Dr. Lombardo, widely known for taking care of the Los Angeles Lakers, who diagnosed Lassiter’s problem in the left knee as patella tendonitis and quad atrophy, said Allado.

Lassiter was examined at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic in Los Angeles and later referred to physical therapist Judy Lee Seto who supervises the rehabilitation of PBA players under Dr. Lombardo’s care.

In a written advice dated last Sept. 2, Dr. Lombardo suggested for Lassiter to undergo physical therapy for “a possibility of two to three months” and recommended to stay away from playing during the rehabilitation.

But Allado said Lassiter’s therapy is progressing and doctors will reevaluate his condition this Friday. If doctors clear Lassiter to resume playing, he could be back in Manila ready to go by Sept. 27.

Lassiter apologized to Lim, Toroman and Smart Sports director Patrick Gregorio in a letter where he explained his absence.

“I sincerely apologize for the lack of communication on my part,” said Lassiter. “I have been trying to get help from my San Francisco City College coach with my knee. I always play hard on the court and after the games, I notice a slight swelling and even ice it but the pain always stays for about two hours. There was an opportunity to have this done when my coach called that he had an appointment for me. I was hoping that appointment would have come during the break after the Lebanon tournament but it came late. This is why I grabbed the opportunity to travel back to the US to get this taken care of.”

Lassiter assured that his goal is to be prepared to play in the Asian Games and other tournaments scheduled for Smart-Gilas. “I have a career to protect and if this nagging knee continues to bother me then I am useless to the team,” he said. “I have to make sure I am ready when the competition comes.”

Allado said Lassiter wouldn’t jeopardize his situation with Smart-Gilas. “As a Fil-Am, Marcio knows he’s got a future playing basketball in the Philippines,” said Allado.   “He’s under contract with Smart-Gilas until July 11 next year then he has the option to stay with the team and fight for a ticket to the London Olympics or apply for the PBA draft. Marcio’s an impact player. He’ll make a difference on the court no matter where he plays.”

Lassiter said he will honor his commitment to Smart-Gilas. “I intend to come back home as soon as I finish all of these (doctors) appointments and whatever follow-up treatment the doctors want me to undergo,” he said in a letter to Smart-Gilas’ Butch Antonio. “I need a ticket back home to Manila for myself as well as for my family (wife and child).”

Lassiter, whose mother Alexandria Eshabarr is Filipina, played two years for California State at Fullerton in 2007-08 and 2008-09. In his first season with the Titans, Lassiter erupted for 17 points in 25 minutes against the University of California at Riverside and shot .380 from triple distance. That year, Fullerton State posted a 24-9 record and made it to the NCAA Tournament, losing a 71-56 decision to Wisconsin in the first round.

“Marcio’s a tremendous defender and a really outstanding shooter,” said Titans coach Bob Burton. In his last year at Fullerton State, Lassiter averaged 8.9 points and hit .839 from the line and .296 from three-point range.

Allado said as James Yap is unlikely to join Smart-Gilas in Guangzhou, Lassiter will be a vital player at the two-spot combining with point guard Chris Tiu in the backcourt.

But until Lassiter lands here, he remains on AWOL status. Antonio said his absence will be charged “at the very least, as unauthorized leave without pay” because it is “tantamount to abandonment of the team.”

Lassiter, however, apologized for the indiscretion and the inconvenience he has caused Smart-Gilas.