After taking a three-month break after the UAAP Season 84, Zavier Lucero has come back to the Philippines.
The 6-foot-6 swingman of University of the Philippines debuted in the 2022 FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup and helped the Fighting Maroons dominate College of St. Benilde in a 117-61 win, Wednesday night, in San Juan City.
After winning the UAAP Season 84 crown, Lucero celebrated with his teammates in UP and went back home to Vallejo, California, to spend time with his family.
While back home in the States, he received offers from Taiwan to play turn professional. However, he decided to stay in UP to get a shot at a back-to-back championship.
“It’s great, you know, we got to celebrate, you know, the championship but it’s good to be back. We’re just starting to build towards trying to get another one,” said Lucero. “I mean, I guess the good thing is we got a lot of the same guys. So it’s just filling in the gaps, learning how to play as a team, and all that again.
“My plan is to contribute… I mean just tryin’ to do whatever it takes to do my part in helping the team get another championship.”
Lucero was part of the UAAP Season 84 Mythical Five after averaging 12.16 points, 7.73 rebounds, 1.57 assists, 1.21 steals, and 1.0 blocks.
The 23-year-old FIghting Maroon didn’t stop training even if he was on vacation as he also competed in pro-am leagues.
“I mean, I try to get a little weight, a little muscle on me, and then… I mean the training, the training it was (during) vacation, but the training didn’t stop. I was, you know, participating in like leagues ‘cause a lot of the pro guys, and college guys are all back home, so it’s good comp,” said Lucero, who produced 11 points built on 5-of-11 shooting from the field with four rebounds, and three steals against the Blazers.
“And then, other than that away from basketball, I was just spending as much time with my family as I could before I came back out here and focus.”
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The entire 2022 Filoil Ecooil Preseason Cup will stream LIVE on Smart Sports Facebook page
