ZAVIER Lucero is thankful to Magnolia after reaching a new deal recently, and he is intent on repaying that trust through winning games.
Lucero signed a two-year deal last Saturday, ending uncertainties with regards to his future with the team. He described the contract negotiations as “professional” in nature.
“There were some things that management wanted, some things that I wanted,” said Lucero about the negotiations. “Talks were good. I’m super grateful to them for putting their trust in me and putting their belief in me. I can’t be happier.”
READ: Zavier Lucero finally agrees to terms with Magnolia
Lucero is coming off a sophomore season where he has made a name for himself as a rising star, if not, the star of the Hotshots after he became a candidate for the Best Player of the Conference during the Philippine Cup last season.
But after a successful season individually, Lucero said that the goal remains centered around the team.
“I just want to win,” said Lucero. “Everyone has their opinions on what I should be doing or expectations of what they’re expecting. But my expectation is always the same. I just want to win. I’m trying to help us win.”
“And I understand that I’ll be on the floor and I have God-given talent that should help us. But it’s a team game. I can’t do it by myself. And none of us can do it by ourselves. So it’s just about putting it together and contributing where I can," he added.
Even before signing the contract, Lucero has been joining team practices in preparation for the coming 50th season where Magnolia is entering a new era with LA Tenorio now taking over as head coach.
Lucero likes their chances of finally for the coming season with Tenorio in charge and the pieces that they added led by Javi Gomez de Liaño, acquired in a trade from Terrafirma during the offseason.
“I think ever since I’ve been here and even before, the talent is here. We can go all the way. We might not have the talent of some of them, SMB or Ginebra, but we have enough and it’s just about putting it together so we can make sure that we are the most together team. That beats talent usually. Hopefully, that will be the case for us this season,” said Lucero.
The former University of the Philippines forward said Tenorio brings an interesting perspective of being a coach who was just fresh from ending his playing career to the Hotshots.
“It’s a blessing to have somebody that just got off the court and could step back on if he wanted to. Someone that sees the game from a player’s point of view but also has the wisdom of having played for a couple decades professionally, if it’s been that much. I'm not sure how much it’s been.”
“Everybody knows he’s a good guy, so that’s just a plus. And then the stuff he’s trying to do and implement is all playing basketball the right way, play defense the right way, just do everything the right way and how the game should be played. So I have no complaints.”
Magnolia is also fresh from a training camp at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna, and Lucero said it is a boost as far as building more cohesion to the team.
“It was a blessing. So another thank you to the management for allowing that to happen, and coaches, players, everyone buying into the system and buying into what we’re trying to build here."
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