GAMES WEDNESDAY
(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
5 p.m. – NLEX vs. TNT
7:30 p.m. – Terrafirma vs. Ginebra
THERE’S a long list of Magnolia star big men from its glorious past—from greats Ramon Fernandez, Jerry Codinera, and Alvin Patrimonio when the team was still carrying the banner of Purefoods to recent notable Marc Pingris.
Six-foot-6 Zavier Lucero is fast proving he has what it takes to join that elite list.
“We want to prepare the right way, and we like our chances against any team,” Lucero said. “As long as we play this way and gut it out, we’re alright.
“You never want to go on a big break after a loss. At least this way, we have momentum moving forward, we haven’t lost yet,” he added.
Lucero spoke after powering the Hotshots to a pulsating 98-95 overtime victory over the San Miguel Beermen last week that kept his side unblemished in the PBA Philippine Cup.
The University of the Philippines champion and product notched 24 points, seven rebounds and two blocks as Magnolia raced to a 3-0 start in the season-ending tilt.
Against Converge on the pro league’s founding anniversary game last April 9, Lucero banged in nine of 18 markers in the fourth quarter as the Hotshots rolled to an 83-71 triumph.
Magnolia strategist Chito Victolero credited his wards, led by Lucero, in their fightback against the Beermen.
“We’re down by double digits in the third quarter. I told them not to quit. Just try to wait for our run,” he said. “Good thing, our bench players, or reserve namin, second group namin, delivers the energy and aggressiveness.
“I think iyong lang iyong puhunan namin, hard work and determination.”
The Hotshots will try to stay hot when they tangle with the Phoenix Fuel Masters on Saturday, April 26, in the conference’s first out-of-town tiff in Zamboanga City.
Lucero moved to the team last year from NorthPort, which tabbed him No. 5 overall in 2023 for Jio Jalalon and Abu Tratter.
Magnolia is winning that trade, for now.
