SAN Miguel was the only team that had multiple import changes in the PBA Commissioner's Cup.
And while that may have a great impact in their failed title retention bid, the Beermen are not about to use it in justifying their early exit in the mid-season conference.
"It's tough, but at the same time it's no excuse," admitted veteran Fil-Am wingman Marcio Lassiter.
For the record, San Miguel brought in four imports in the 12 games it played, namely Quincy Miller, Torren Jones, Jabari Narcis, and Malik Pope or an average of having new imports after every three games.
The constant changes didn't help the team's cause any as it limped out with a 5-7 record at the end of the eliminations.
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The Beermen's reign as champion eventually ended Wednesday night when the NLEX Road Warriors slammed the door on them after beating guest team Eastern, 94-76.
The 37-year-old Lassiter admitted it's not easy for a team adjusting every time a new import comes in.
"Any time you get a new import, you have to re-learn the system for the new guy. So it is tough," he said. "We did change a lot, and hey, find a way and make it work. So every day it was a learning experience."
It's the first time in a decade San Miguel will be missing the playoffs since the 2015 Commissioner's Cup and ended the team's streak of 22 straight playoff appearances.
As per chief statistician Fidel Mangonon III, the Beermen also became the first defending champion to miss the playoffs since Barangay Ginebra in the 2005 Fiesta Conference.
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For Lassiter, there's a lesson to be learned in this down moment for the proud franchise.
"We all learn from it. You can learn in every game, win or lose. So we'll just have to think about what we have to do," said the league's top three-point king.
San Miguel is the latest team to bow out of playoff contention after Phoenix, Blackwater, and Terrafirma. (RG)
