Lassiter, Powerade come to terms; 4th pick given max contract

Powerade didn't waste its time adding another marquee rookie to its overhauled roster after coming to terms with Filipino-American guard Marcio Lassiter Thursday. The Smart Gilas-Pilipinas stalwart was given the maximum contract of P8.7 million in three years by the Powerade management. The deal meant Lassiter, selected fourth overall in this yea's PBA Rookie Draft, will be receiving P150,000 on his first year, P225,000 on his second and P350,000 on the third. Lassiter's signing came a day after top overall pick JV Casio also agreed to a three-year, maximum contract pay with the Tigers. Powerade's top officials, led by PBA board governor JB Baylon and coach Bo Perasol, were present when Casio formally signed up with the team Wednesday night. Other than Casio and Lassiter, Rain or Shine's Paul Lee is the other rookie player who signed a maximum contract. — OMG/JVP, GMA News