Amidst the intense finale between University of the Philippines and Ateneo de Manila University in the UAAP Season 85 Men’s Basketball Tournament, the grand showcase is potentially missing one key piece — State U forward Zav Lucero.
The all-time leading scorer in Cal State Maritime Academy got injured in Game Two. With UP down 59-44 with 8:31 remaining, Lucero tried to drive past Chris Koon.
However, his left knee buckled at the plant.
Tiebreaker Times reported that the athletic 6-foot-6 forward will be out of action for a long time as his initial MRI results showed tears in his ACL and meniscus. However, he was quick to brush that story aside.
“That news is not conclusive. It did not come from me.
“As soon as I know, I got nothing to say about the specifics of my injury but I knew something serious right away when it happened but as far as what it is (no comment),” he said as he even joined UP’s shootaround prior to Game Three on Monday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
With a long lay-off impending, Lucero will need to work on getting his knee strong again. There is no word when he can return to his 100 percent. What is certain is that he will need to exert a lot of effort during his rehabilitation period.
That does not phase him one bit though.
“I’m ready for it. That’s pretty much all I can say. I’m ready for it. I’m looking forward to it because the sooner I get it done, the sooner I can get back on the floor and play the game I love,” said the UAAP Season 84 Mythical Team member and champion.
While he may still see action tonight, he is inside the Smart Araneta Coliseum to push his teammates all the way, even sporting his light no. 22 jersey. The Fighting Maroons are in a unique position to win back-to-back crowns in one calendar year and history beckons for State U.
That and his sense of belonging with the team have made him not think about the fact that he has missed out on such a huge spectacle.
“I’m saddened but I got no time for that — I got to support my guys.
“There are 40 minutes left. They can do without me and I’m looking forward to supporting them in any way I can,” said Lucero.
Entering the game, the UP faithful launched the theme of “2 in 2022 for 22” to dedicate the game to him. His teammates, meanwhile, are wearing ZAV — 12/19/2022 shirts.
But all he wants is for his comrades to do well.
It is not every day one can play in the game of no tomorrow and produce such a major milestone and Lucero wants his teammates to focus on the task at hand.
“Not much. Just that they got this, you know? Not to do it just for me. Do it for each other and do it for the group.”
