IN the battle between two of the veteran teams in the league, it was youngsters Zavier Lucero and Jerom Lastimosa who did most of the damage for Magnolia in its overtime victory over San Miguel in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Lucero had 24 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks, while Lastimosa had 21 points and five assists in the Hotshots’ 98-95 overtime win over the Beermen, completing a comeback from 14 points down to nail the victory.
READ: Clutch Barroca lifts Magnolia past San Miguel in OT thriller
The two, incidentally, are first rounders in the draft, although Lucero was originally acquired in a trade with NorthPort after being selected No. 5 in Season 48. Lastimosa, meanwhile, is Magnolia’s selection at No. 9.
“Our youth, and the combination of the veterans and the youth, malaking factor sa amin,” said Magnolia coach Chito Victolero. “I told you naman before na these guys… will be a big factor for us this conference to support our veterans.”
The two showed their willingness to make the big shots for Magnolia on Wednesday where the two combined for 17 of the Hotshots’ 37 points in the fourth quarter and overtime.
Lastimosa even bounced back from a missed free throw in regulation that would have given Magnolia a one-point lead with 12.9 seconds left by scoring five of the Hotshots’ 11 points in the overtime period.
“Si Jerom naman, he gets his minutes. It’s a matter of resting him so that down the stretch, fresh siya. Jerom is a fighter. Actually, the last possessions, gusto ko siya ilabas at ipahinga ng konti but he told me not to sub him. He wants to play. Kita naman natin ‘yung bata,” said Victolero.
Victolero also hailed Lucero’s play in the crucial time which he attributes to his experience in playing big games in college, winning two UAAP titles and a Finals MVP with University of the Philippines.
The same goes with Lastimosa, who played in the Final Four with Adamson.
“They can deliver in the crucial moment together with Zavier. They are mentally strong. Coming to this game, in college, alam nila how to play in the very crucial moments of the game,” said Victolero.
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