CHICAGO - Paul Lee and Mark Barroca are two of the highest-paid players in the PBA. Both are multiple champions and Finals MVPs. They're nice guys, too, who absolutely deserve such remunerations from Magnolia given the titles and the sustained excellence that they brought to the franchise.
Right now, though, as 35-year-old Lee and 38-year-old Barroca slowly descend from their primes, the Hotshots need to put on the marquee another huge asset they invested on.
Since arriving at Magnolia via trade from NorthPort last July, the former UP Fighting Maroon has shown the all-around skills that made him the fifth overall pick in the 2023 PBA Rookie Draft.
And the pride of Vallejo, California is putting together a breakout performance in the ongoing Commissioners' Cup, averaging 12.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.6 assists per in nine games played.
A WING AND A PRAYER.
A frisky, enthusiastic defender, Lucero is also an efficient scorer who has drilled 49.3 percent of his field goals (38-of-77) and 87.8 percent of his free throws (39-of-33.
There's a term that aptly describes the type of deeds Lucero does: Two-way player.
There's just one problem. He isn't playing enough, so underutilized at 26 minutes and 21 seconds an outing, which is one of many reasons why the Hotshots are horribly underperforming with a dismal 4-6 record.
Instead of using him more often as a spark off the bench, why not make Lucero a full-time starter and unleash him as a focal point on the offense that will enable Magnolia to win close games?
While there is a lot of logic behind relying on veterans Aris Dionisio and Rome Dela Rosa, neither has produced better than the freakishy athletic 6-foot-6 Lucero on both ends of the floor.
To have a puncher's chance of earning a quarterfinals ticket, the Hotshots need to beat Hong Kong Eastern on January 26 and Meralco on January 31.
They need Lucero to be in the starting unit on those last two assignments to have a chance. To insist otherwise is courting elimination.
BALTI IS BALLING.
After a few games of quietly adapting to the style of play in the PBA, last September's No. 1 overall pick in the PBA Rookie draft finally broke through.
Call it the fulfillment of a promise.
Justine Baltazar had a beastly effort of 20 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, three steals and two blocks to lead Converge past hapless Blackwater, 127-109, on Sunday night.
Balti played for 31 minutes and converted 9-of-13 from the field. Most importantly, the FiberXers' fourth straight victory improved their chances of ending up as a Top 2 seed in the playoffs with an 8-3 mark.
I have no doubt Balti can inflict the same damage against great teams and not just the Bossing who have been officially eliminated in the Commissioner's Cup.
Converge coach Charles Tiu was right. It was just a matter of time before Justine's talent will manifest itself.
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