ZAVIER Lucero believes Magnolia playing its best basketball in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup couldn’t have come at a better time.
With the Hotshots currently on a roll after a 129-92 rout of an import-less Meralco side Friday night, the sophomore big man said the win streak certainly augurs well for the team heading to its do-or-die game for the eighth and last quarterfinals berth.
READ: Magnolia stays alive for No. 8 spot after shutting down Meralco
The 37-point blowout of the Bolts was the third straight for Magnolia, allowing it to finish the eliminations with an even 6-6 record and tied with NLEX at No. 8.
Lucero went 6-of-10 from the field and a perfect 6-of-6 from the foul line to lead all the Hotshots locals in scoring with 22 points, while adding three rebounds and three assists.
“We’ve been playing our best basketball at this time of the conference. The ball’s moving really well, our defense is clicking, and as long as we continue to bring that same motivation, that same desperation, God-willing, we get past the next one which is going to be another do-or-die,” said the forward out of the University of the Philippines.
Once given up for dead, Magnolia suddenly turned things around by winning its last three outings against Phoenix, Eastern, and Meralco.
Zavier the savior?
Lucero averaged 22.3 points and 5.6 rebounds in all three wins, while also being named Best Player of the Game twice.
But the Fil-Am winger deferred everything to his teammates.
“It’s a team game. I’m sitting here (post-win press conference) tonight, but there’s a lot of guys who really played well. And probably it would have been alright if I had zero points because guys were playing with desperation and we’re playing team basketball,” said Lucero.
And as long as the Hotshots are playing this way, he is adamant they have a good shot at extending their playoffs streak which currently stands at 18th straight conferences.
“I think, whenever us as a team, we play with each other and through each other, that’s when we play our best. And it’s good that we’re playing that way right now,” said Lucero.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
