It’s hard to look away from accomplishing personal achievements, but Marcio Lassiter and June Mar Fajardo are sharp and focused on goals bigger than themselves as San Miguel took a 2-0 series lead over Rain or Shine in their PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinal clash on Sunday, May 19. 

Lassiter and Fajardo moved up to the PBA all-time three-pointer made and career shot blocks lists, respectively, following individual brilliance in their 106-89 Game 2 win. 

The 37-year-old Lassiter finally edged out LA Tenorio in the third spot after going three-of-six from deep and scoring 13 points all game long, which was just enough to get ahead of the latter who’s the only other active player in the list with 1,218, while him now at 1,219. 

By halftime, Lassiter already matched Tenorio’s record after firing two triples in the second quarter. 

With the Beermen eventually sitting on top of a telling 101-86 lead, the go-ahead three-pointer came late in the game which Lassiter unleashed from the left corner with 2:19 to go to make it official. 

“Can’t be more thankful to be blessed with the opportunity to play at a high level and staying healthy for the most part. And thank my teammates, as you know, they are the ones who spot me, so for them just trusting me all throughout the years and coaches,” said Lassiter. 

“Just to be in the same breath as LA, he’s one of the true legends, the greatest point guard, I believe, in the PBA. When I came into the league, I looked up to him, so it’s just great to be in the same sentence as him. It’s truly an honor, hopefully, I can just keep it going. See how it goes each game,” he added. 

Tenorio, for his part, barely saw action in Ginebra’s 103-91 defeat against Meralco in the other semifinal pairing where he wound up with just one free throw made. 

With Jimmy Alapag (1,250) and Allan Caidic (1,242) next up on his unintentional pursuit to the top, Lassiter could only focus on what’s in front rather than thinking a little far ahead. 

Should San Miguel secure the Finals berth, Lassiter will have plenty of time to be catapulted to the top of the greatest shooter list. 

If not, it’s only a matter of time in the next conference. 

“I try not to think about it, but it’s hard when I keep looking up, there goes my number again. But it’s just mentally, I’ve just had the same approach as next-play mentally. So if I can keep doing that, I can continue to just focus on the present rather than the past which has already happened,” Lassiter said. 

“The next two are great legends, obviously, one has the record and the second I feel is the GOAT (greatest of all time) of shooters. It’s just unbelievable what he’s done. When that time comes, it will be a special moment for me,” he added. 

Apart from Lassiter, seven-time PBA MVP Fajardo was definitely not so bad himself as he showed up with another double-double outing of 22 points and 10 blocks to steer San Miguel to the victory.

The 6-foot-10 big man asserted his defensive power after becoming the No. 11 player in the all-time shotblocks list. 

And counting at this point. 

Though it never really lingers on his mind, Fajardo is just happy to help in any way possible. 

“Kung aangat man ako sa statistics, syempre nakakatuwa rin. Pero hindi ‘yun ang goal ko. Goal ko lang makatulong sa mga teammates ko. Shoutout kay Marcio kasi ang ganda ng laro niya saka nakuha niya ‘yung record. For sure magiging number one siya sa list kasi mahaba pa ‘yung years na ilalaro niya eh. So marami pa siyang ititira na tres,” Fajardo told Manila Bulletin. 

With their progressive climb to the top of the individual accolades, the only thing that matters is carrying San Miguel to another storied success.