Lassiter intends ‘no shade’ with Muhammad Ali shirt after finals win

MANILA, Philippines – When the celebrations had quieted down on Sunday, March 5, San Miguel guard Marcio Lassiter emerged from the locker room wearing a shirt that seemed quite appropriate for the ocassion.

The Beermen had just defeated sister team Barangay Ginebra in Game 5 of the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup Finals, 91-85, and went on to win their third straight all-Filipino title.

Fittingly, Lassiter’s shirt featured the iconic photograph of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali standing over his foe Sonny Liston during their 1965 rematch.

At first glance it may seem like a shot at the Gin Kings, whom the Beermen dominated in the short series despite the games being close towards the end. But Lassiter clarified he did not intend on throwing shade at their sister team despite the emotionally charged series.

“I was gearing up for Thrilla in Manila or something. This shirt is just one of my favorites, it just gets me going. It’s for me. No (shade), not at all. Definitely not. Definitely no shade,” he said, referencing another Ali fight, his third encounter with Joe Frazier in 1975, which took place at Araneta Coliseum, the same venue where San Miguel defeated Ginebra to wrap up the Philippine Cup title.

“Ginebra played a great series. They’re always in it, every game, they made us fight for this championship, so we didn’t get it easily, they made it tough on us. But this is my favorite shirt.”

The Beermen won the franchise’s 23rd championship. Lassiter had 12 points in the final game. – Rappler.com