I remember watching that pivotal Game 4 between San Miguel and NLEX back in 2019 with particular interest, mainly because I'd been tracking Marcio Lassiter's shooting struggles throughout the series. Having analyzed PBA games professionally for over a decade, I've learned that even the most reliable shooters go through slumps, but what separates champions from the rest is how they respond when their shot isn't falling. Coming into Sunday's crucial matchup, Lassiter's numbers were genuinely concerning - he'd gone 1-of-7 from beyond the arc overall, including an 0-of-1 performance in Game 2 and a particularly rough 0-of-3 showing in Game 3. For a shooter of his caliber, those numbers felt almost surreal.

What struck me most about that Game 4 was how Lassiter managed to reinvent his impact on the game despite TNT's defensive attention. I've always believed that great players find ways to contribute even when their primary weapon isn't working, and Lassiter demonstrated this beautifully. The way he freed himself from TNT's tight guarding schemes showed tremendous basketball IQ - he used more off-ball screens, changed speeds more effectively in transition, and positioned himself in spots where the defense had to respect multiple threats. When he finally knocked down that first three-pointer, you could see the relief and confidence flood back into his game. But what truly impressed me was that he didn't stop at just one - he followed it up with another triple, and then delivered the exclamation point with that incredible four-point play that essentially sealed the momentum for San Miguel.

From my perspective as someone who's charted hundreds of PBA games, Lassiter's performance represented more than just a statistical recovery - it embodied the mental toughness that championship teams require. I've always argued that shooting slumps are more mental than mechanical, and Lassiter's breakthrough confirmed this belief. His 2-of-4 shooting from deep in Game 4 might not look spectacular on paper, but considering the context - the defensive pressure, the previous struggles, and the playoff stakes - those makes carried disproportionate weight. The four-point play particularly stood out to me because it demonstrated his willingness to attack closeouts rather than settling for standstill jumpers, something I'd been hoping to see from him earlier in the series.

What many casual observers might miss about such turning points is how they ripple through the entire team's performance. I noticed that once Lassiter started connecting from outside, it immediately opened driving lanes for June Mar Fajardo and created better spacing for Christian Standhardinger to operate in the post. This synergistic effect is something statistics often fail to capture fully, but having played competitive basketball myself, I can attest to how one player finding his rhythm can elevate everyone's confidence. The defensive adjustments NLEX had to make in response to Lassiter's awakening created cascading advantages that San Miguel exploited masterfully down the stretch.

Reflecting on that game years later, I still consider it one of the better examples of professional resilience I've witnessed in Philippine basketball. In my analysis work, I often use Lassiter's Game 4 performance when discussing how elite shooters can break out of slumps not by taking more shots, but by taking better shots and trusting their preparation. His final line of 12 points might seem modest, but the timing and manner of those points transformed the game's complexion. Having rewatched the tape multiple times for various analytical projects, I'm still impressed by how he maintained his defensive intensity and made smart passes even while struggling with his shot earlier in the series - that's the mark of a complete player who understands winning basketball.

The broader lesson for aspiring players, in my view, is that shooting slumps are inevitable, but they don't have to define your entire series. Lassiter's approach - staying engaged defensively, moving without the ball, and taking quality shots within the flow of the offense - provides a blueprint for working through difficult stretches. I've shared this example with numerous young players I've coached over the years because it demonstrates that even established stars face challenges, and what matters most is how you respond when your game isn't at its best. That 2019 series ultimately showcased why San Miguel remained championship contenders - they had players who understood how to contribute in multiple ways and trusted each other to eventually break through.

Watching Lassiter rediscover his rhythm in real-time reminded me why I fell in love with analyzing basketball - beneath the statistics and strategies, there's always human drama unfolding, stories of perseverance and adjustment that numbers alone can't fully capture. His journey through that series, from struggling shooter to clutch performer, represents what makes playoff basketball so compelling. The way he shook off previous games and delivered when his team needed him most is something I still reference when discussing professional mentality with today's players. That Game 4 performance didn't just change a series - it provided a lasting lesson in resilience that transcends that particular season.