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| Marcio Lassiter won it for the Beermen. PBA Images |
MANILA--Marcio Lassiter hit a three-pointer with 3.8 seconds left in the game as San Miguel shut the door on Alaska's last gasp to make the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals with a 101-100 squeaker on Wednesday night at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
Lassiter's clutch basket made up for a costly turnover that gave the Aces a chance to steal the win despite a sluggish beginning.
The Beermen were off to a good start against the Aces, opening a 23-8 lead with 4:14 left in the first quarter.
The Beermen eventually dropped a 33-point first period with June Mar Fajardo dominating the paint early on with 8 points.
The Aces made a big 12-0 run at the start of the second period to cut the lead down to single digit, 33-31, and eventually, they took a 47-43 lead at halftime.
Despite a nip-and-tuck third period, the Aces maintained the lead, 77-75, heading into the fourth period.
However, the Beermen took advantage of the Aces' turnovers and looked to run away as they built a 9-point lead, 93-84, with 5:42 remaining.
The Aces made some defensive stops and Jeron Teng eventually attacked the paint to tie the game at 98-all with a minute left.
Lassitter lost the ball in the next play, giving the Aces a chance to take the lead.
With 20 seconds left, Abu Tratter hit a jumper to give the Aces a 2-point lead, 100-98.
But CJ Perez found Lassiter open for the left corner trey even as Alaska, with no timeout left, failed to even launch a buzzer-beater.
Perez scored 20 points to lead San Miguel in eliminating Alaska even as the team sealed the fourth seed in the quarterfinals.
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