CHICAGO - The sting of last conference's disappointment still gnaws at him like the guilt of an unfulfilled promise.
But instead marinating in regret and moping on what-ifs, Magnolia star Zavier Lucero has spent the time off preparing for the PBA's upcoming Season 50 which is tentatively set to begin in October.
"Preseason prep has been good, being able to still work around my knee and polish things that I need to work on. My handles and my shot are a constant work in progress," he told me in a telephone interview.
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Shortly after the twice-to-beat Hotshots were eliminated by TNT in the Philippine Cup quarterfinals last June 21, Lucero returned to his hometown of Vallejo, California for a little rest and a lot of gym work,
"I've been dealing with patellar tendinitis due to high usage in the last two conferences. The only goal this summer is to work with my physical therapist and try to get rid of it."
While the 6-foot-6, 205-lb. forward went through a six-day-a-week regimen with brutal, metronomic regularity, the Hotshots went through stunning personnel changes that figures to reshape the trajectory of the franchise.
MAGNOLIA SHAKE-UP.
Last July 29, head coach Chito Victolero, a good guy whose resume was pockmarked with bad results and disappointing finishes, was replaced by former Ginebra captain and current Gilas Youth coach LA Tenorio.
A week later on August 5, Will Navarro, who arrived via a trade from NorthPort only last May 27, finalized his move to the Korean Basketball League (KBL) by signing with the Busan KCC Egis.
As he wished Navarro well, Zav provided an insight into why their collaboration didn't yield a championship.
"I think it can be tough with an addition like Will so late in the conference. Had we had more time to integrate him, I think it would have been a different story. I also think it was best to play us together - one at 3 and the other at 4 - so we can maximize our advantages in size and versatility at the position.
"All in all, it came down to not having the time to find the best way to weaponize us as a tandem and produce the maximum results."
Although their union lacked a ring that leaves a lasting legacy, Lucero sympathized with his former coach's plight.
"I reached out to coach Chito just to express my gratitude. The role of a head coach is a thankless job. When the team wins, the players get all the glory. When the team loses the coach bites all the blame."
NEW CHAPTER.
"It's not an easy job with so much to balance but I believe he always had the best intentions for the team. I'm grateful for both the opportunity and trust he gave me."
With Victolero fading into the sunset, the former UP Fighting Maroon is ready to move forward.
"I've had a couple of conversations with coach LA. They've been good and I'm really excited to play for him. I'm determined to contribute to winning no matter what it takes."
Tenorio's system, Zav says, is a philosophy that "encourages and only works with ball movement, player movement, spacing and high IQ reads."
Lucero, who averaged 18.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists in the Philippine Cup, will thrive even more in a free-flowing, democratic offense.
"I take pride in doing those things well. I want to play high-level team basketball."
And so does Magnolia under coach Tenorio,
This upcoming PBA Season 50 could be a fun new chapter for Magnolia and its grief-stricken fan base that had endured too many disappointments for too long.
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