Marcio open to 3x3 event

HONGKONG – San Miguel Beer sharpshooter Marcio Lassiter won’t turn his back on the country if there’s a call to represent the flag at the FIBA 3x3 World Cup in the Philippine Arena on June 8-12 but said it will depend on commitments with his PBA mother team.

Asked if he’d be open to play in the coming event, Lassiter said why not. “It’d be an honor to play for the country,” said Lassiter who suited up for Gilas at the 2010 Asian Games and the 2011 FIBA Asia Championships in Wuhan. The hindrance is if San Miguel has games to play in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. If the PBA freezes the second conference schedule to free up players for the World Cup, Lassiter or any other pro would be available.

Lassiter, 30, flew in from Manila for a brief holiday here with his wife Jerlyn and their four-month-old son Melo. Last Wednesday, the Lassiters were at the Southorn Stadium in Wan Chai to cheer for San Miguel Alab Pilipinas in Game 1 of the ABL best-of-three semifinal series against the defending champion Hong Kong Eastern Long Lions. Also at courtside were 2019 Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee executive director Ramon (Tats) Suzara and Philippine Sports Institute director Marc Velasco.

Lassiter, Christian Standhardinger, Terrence Romeo, Stanley Pringle, Arwind Santos and Japeth Aguilar have been mentioned as candidates for the Philippine 3x3 squad. SBP president Al Panlilio said the final lineup will be discussed and cleared with the PBA Board of Governors during a meeting here on April 18-21.

Lassiter said he was impressed with Standhardinger’s performance against Alab. “I’d never seen him before in a game live so it was my first time,” he said. “He’s quite a player.” Lassiter and Standhardinger will be San Miguel teammates when the Fil-German ends his ABL contract and joins the Beermen in the Commissioner’s Cup which starts April 22. Against Alab that night, Standhardinger compiled 18 points and 15 rebounds. In a previous interview, Lassiter said it’s important to enlist a mobile big man like Aguilar for the 3x3 team.

PBA commissioner Willie Marcial said the league hasn’t scheduled games for the second conference beyond May 4 so it can adjust to whatever are the SBP’s commitments for the World Cup. Once the players are confirmed, Marcial said the full calendar will be announced to avoid conflict in the schedule of the 3x3 event.