PBA: Zavier Lucero leads Magnolia rout of Blackwater in opener

Magnolia Hotshots’ Zavier Lucero during a PBA Philippine Cup game against Blackwater Bossing. –PBA IMAGES

Zavier Lucero powered Magnolia to a 106-84 romp of Blackwater to open its campaign in the PBA Philippine Cup on a bright note Saturday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Lucero finished with 21 points and seven rebounds as the Hotshots bucked the Bossing’s challenge late in the second and early in the third quarter to secure the victory in their first match of the all-Filipino tournament.

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Four other players scored in double figures, namely Ian Sangalang, Mark Barroca, rookie Jerom Lastimosa and Calvin Abueva, as Magnolia aims for a better showing after quarterfinal exits in the previous two conferences.

Sangalang posted 15 points and 10 rebounds, Barroca had 14 while Lastimosa and Abueva added 13 points apiece for the Hotshots.

Blackwater fell short despite strong performances from Christian David and rookie Sedrick Barefield, who is looking to bounce back from playing just four games in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

David scored 31 points while Barefield had 24 points, four rebounds, seven assists and two steals for the Bossing.

The Bossing did cut the margin to four twice, the last at 61-57 in the third. But the Hotshots scored 12 straight points to pull away.

In that quarter, Lucero scored nine for Magnolia.