Perfect Ross-Lassiter inbounds play lifts Beermen over Picanto

MANILA, Philippines — Chris Ross and Marcio Lassiter executed a perfect play in their final possession as San Miguel Beer overcame the shock of losing a huge 26-point spread and salvaged a 108-106 win over Kia to virtually claim a Top Two finish in the PBA Philippine Cup eliminations at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday night.

With 1.8 left in the clock and the count tied at 106, the Beermen banked on Ross and Lassiter’s brilliant winning play to hold off the Picanto that waged an amazing endgame fightback largely behind the determined effort of former SMB players Ronald Tubid and Rashawn McCarthy.

Lassiter scored on a twisting under-goal shot on a perfectly executed bounce pass from Ross as the Beermen spoiled the exploits of Tubid and McCarthy, nailing the win to firm up their hold of top spot with an 8-2 win-loss card.

“It’s an option that Ross and Lassiter created. They showed their basketball sense. They saw the advantage and they took the opportunity,” said San Miguel coach Leo Austria.

“It could have been a disaster for us and not a good sign for us going to the playoffs. But as I’ve said many times before, whether it’s a 30-point or a one-point win, we’ll take it,” Austria added.

Before the Ross-Lassiter play, Arwind Santos came through with a big defensive stop, blocking a shot by Glenn Khobuntin.

Santos finished with 27 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, two blocks and one steal, leading the way for the Beermen in the absence of two key players June Mar Fajardo and Alex Cabagnot.

Lassiter ended up with 22 markers while Ross came up with 10 assists, nine points, three rebounds and two steals as the Beermen sent Kia to a 1-10 win-loss wind-up in the all-Filipino tourney.

The Beermen nearly let the win slip away as they relaxed after building a 26-point spread at 89-63.

“They had thought it’s a won game and everybody relaxed,” rued Austria.

As the Beermen practically stopped playing, the Picanto pounced on the opportunity and raced ahead at 106-103 with 1:02 left.

Lassiter banged in a trey to tie the count before executing the under-goal shot to win the game.

Meanwhile, Magnolia and Meralco slug it out in the last Petron Blaze Saturday Special in the elimination round tonight in Cagayan de Oro, with the former making its final assault at a Top Two finish and the latter fighting to stay alive.

It’s a must-win game for both.

The Hotshots need to win for a closing 8-3 win-loss mark in the elims and a chance at a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals.

The Bolts, meanwhile, must prevail to keep their slim hopes for a playoff shot at the last Final Eight berth.