PBA: Zavier Lucero stays hot for unbeaten Magnolia

Magnolia forward Zavier Lucero during a game against San Miguel in the PBA Philippine Cup.–PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—Magnolia young gun Zavier Lucero on Wednesday night made sure the Hotshots will head into their long break with a high morale.

Lucero scored a game-high 24 points to lead Magnolia’s comeback win over San Miguel Beer for a perfect 3-0 start in the PBA Philippine Cup.

READ: PBA: Magnolia rallies to beat San Miguel in OT for 3-0 start

“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,” said Lucero after the 98-95 victory in overtime.

“Coming into the next game, our confidence should be high and if we can play the right way, we like our chances against everyone in the league.”

The lanky forward out of the University of the Philippines also collected seven rebounds and two blocks in the game that saw the Hotshots fall behind by as many as 14 points in the third quarter.

Lucero has been a revelation for the Hotshots early in the conference. He was coming off an 18-point performance in a win over Converge exactly a week ago just four days after dropping 21 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the field in a 22-point romp of Blackwater.

READ: PBA: Magnolia fends off Converge behind Ian Sangalang, Zavier Lucero

“Me sitting here, scoring or whatever, as long as we come out with the W that’s the most important part. I wouldn’t be sitting here if our guys didn’t make plays down the stretch to make us win,” he said.

Coach Chito Victolero was certainly impressed with the way Lucero gelled with the squad’s veterans like Paul Lee, Mark Barroca and Calvin Abueva, to name a few.

“Our youth and combination of them with the veterans is a huge factor,” said Victolero. “These guys will be a big factor for us at this conference to support our veterans.”

Magnolia will have ample rest before going back in action against Phoenix on April 26 in Zamboanga City.