Zavier Lucero made two big defensive stops in the fourth quarter that boosted University of the Philippines to a 72-66 win over Ateneo de Manila University in Game One of the UAAP Season 85 best-of-three Finals on Sunday.
First, a poster-looking Chris Koon tried to slam it home over the 6-foot-6 athletic Fighting Maroon.
But Lucero said no with an emphatic denial that translated to a Harold Alarcon big transition triple with 6:39 to go, 61-56. That big stop woke up the UP side of the 18,211 fans inside the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The Fighting Maroons were able to build a 10-point lead following that. Then BJ Andrade, Ange Kouame, and Dave Ildefonso pulled the Blue Eagles back within four with 1:23 left in the game.
With empty possessions for UP, Ateneo looked to slash more to that deficit – going to Kouame down low.
But again, the 6-foot-7 Lucero – playing in his final year – came up big. He rejected the 6-foot-11 Kouame with 38 seconds remaining.
However, he played down those defensive stops.
“That was just me in the right place at the right time,” said Lucero, a member of the Mythical Team last season.
“All of our guys made plays, stepped up. After I blocked Chris, Harold hit a big three for us, so it was a team effort tonight for sure.”
Lucero also credited UP head coach Goldwin Monteverde and the whole coaching staff for those blocks.
He was there to help, and therefore made those highlight blocks, because the staff always reminds them to pick up their teammates.
“I think our team… Coach always says in practice, it’s five versus one on the floor. So anytime there’s an opportunity to help if somebody gets beat, it’s on us to be there for those guys to make sure no one’s left on an island,” said Lucero.
The Fighting Maroons will look to finish off the Blue Eagles on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum at 6:00 PM.
And with Game One in the bag, Lucero’s not celebrating just yet because he knows it takes two to get that second consecutive crown.
“It’s great, but obviously we got another one ahead of us. So as soon as that buzzer sounds off, we gotta move on, focus, and prepare for our next game.”
