Athlete

Lucero excited to compete for PBA championship with Magnolia

Original photo source: PBA Images

Zavier Lucero was in the process of packing his bags for a return flight to Manila when he found out his career just had a consequential moment. The former collegiate superstar for University of the Philippines was sad about leaving his family in California after seeing them for the first time since coming to the Philippines for the beginning of his PBA career, but was also excited at the thought of getting back to work with his Northport teammates for a possible playoff push.

The formula for Lucero’s desire to win in the PBA has suddenly changed. He’ll be attempting it with another team, one where he’ll have to learn a new system and get acclimated to new faces. But if this partnership works out, he might be in a better position to accomplish his ambition.

“I understand that this is a good spot for me. So now I’m feeling excited,” he told ALL-STAR Magazine in an exclusive interview.

RELATED: ANALYSIS: Lucero traded to Magnolia for Jalalon, Tratter

The PBA confirmed on Wednesday, July 15, that Lucero has been dealt to Magnolia from Northport in exchange for Jio Jalalon and Abu Tratter. The former UAAP champion was selected fifth by Northport in last year’s draft. He sat out the first conference but made his debut in the All-Filipino Cup, averaging 12 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal, and a block per game. He shot 47% from the field, 26% from deep, and 71% from the foul line. Considering last conference was his first go at organized basketball since tearing his ACL in the Season 85 UAAP Finals – not to mention doing it in the Philippines’ oldest pro league known for its physicality – it was quite encouraging.

“I’m always, like, shook up and very sad leaving home, but I was excited to play again with Northport. As far as I knew, that’s where I was going back to. I had been with those guys. I felt like I was getting established, so I was excited for that. And now, I feel like I have a chance, and we, as Magnolia, have a chance to win, which, I mean, that’s the whole point of basketball,” Lucero shared.

“It wouldn’t be fun if there wasn’t a winner and a loser. So, the fact that I get to contend for a championship and have a shot at really making a difference and contribute to winning, that, to me, is exciting.”

Magnolia is one of the PBA’s storied franchises, just right behind SMC siblings San Miguel Beermen and Barangay Ginebra in terms of success. Known back in the day as Purefoods, the franchise Lucero will now suit up for has a total of 14 PBA titles and 32 finals appearances. They haven’t won a championship since the 2018 Governors’ Cup conference; a dry spell Lucero hopes to help end.

The team coached by Chito Victolero just recently made a PBA Finals appearance, falling to San Miguel in last season’s Commissioner’s Cup after finishing the elimination round as the top seed. The roster is talented with the likes of Calvin Abueva, Mark Barroca, Paul Lee, and Ian Sangalang, among others, paving the way. Victolero has an experienced staff with Johnny Abarrientos, Jason Webb, Mon Jose, and Juno Sauler, just to name a few.

Magnolia has reinforcements coming. In addition to Lucero, they selected Jerom Lastimosa with the ninth pick in this year’s draft. Former NBA player Glenn Robinson III will be the team’s import for the upcoming Governors’ Cup.

A reunion of sorts between Lucero and Lastimosa, who shared battles on opposing sides in the UAAP, should bring both players and many college basketball afficionados delight. Lastimosa is still recovering from a knee operation that cost him his final year of playing eligibility with Adamson. The road to recovery is one he and Lucero can connect on, seeing as they ended their collegiate careers on similar paths, along with the down-the-wire battles and heart-stopping moments whenever Fighting Maroons and Soaring Falcons entered he playing court. When the spitfire guard returns to action – presumably later this year – he and Lucero will serve as a formidable one-two punch that will be lethal not just in the present but for Magnolia’s years to come, as well.

“When I was playing against Jerom, he was one of my favorite players,” Lucero said. “You have to respect what he was doing [at Adamson] since he didn’t have the firepower that UP did or Ateneo did or LaSalle did, but [he was scary]. Adamson always played us tough. I think him as a player, he could score it very well, but you can tell he’s not a selfish guy because he’s always trying to get his teammates involved. So, a dynamic guard like that is always going to be fun to play with.

“And then as far as Glenn Robinson goes,” Lucero continued, “he will obviously become the best player I’ve played with in my career. So, that’d be cool. And just being able to pick his brain and kind of see what goes into him as a pro and having been a pro at the highest level, that’s been a big excitement for me. Just in the PBA, this will be my first conference with imports. So, seeing guys that are at that caliber is going to be fun.”

Lucero also has ideas as far as his own improvement. He admits to being rusty in his debut conference despite the handful of impressive performances which showcased his two-way impact. He believes he still has plenty of room to grow, particularly by increasing his shooting average to at least 50% FG in each conference he plays while also upping the efficiency of his downtown attempts and free throws attempted.

During his rehab Lucero did not train with the typical Molten basketball used in PBA games. Getting the extra time to adjust to this type of ball, he believes, will also play a factor in his improved play.

“My goal this conference is to be better than I was last conference and that’ll be my goal moving forward every conference. My goal last conference was to stay healthy. I was able to do that and I was able to put up decent numbers. So obviously I’m trying to build on that,” the versatile wingman articulated.

“It will be a disappointment if I’m not better, because I had pretty rough games throughout the season. Like, I had a zero-pointer, I had a five-pointer, and games where I wasn’t that good. So, I feel like I’m in a place where I cannot have those games, and even if I’m struggling, it’ll still be better than those. I’m also in a new system, so there’s going to be challenges this season as well, but I think that if I can adjust and take what I’ve learned from last conference and understand that I’m more comfortable going into this conference, then I think I’ll be better than I was.”

Lucero is now on a plane heading back to the Philippines. To his new present and future. To one step closer of achieving one of his many goals.

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