Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Zav Lucero proves he is more than just a scorer for UP


If there is one thing that Zav Lucero has proven in the UAAP Season 84 Men’s Basketball Tournament, it is that he has the capability to overcome slow starts to finish strongly in the end.

A dismal first half that saw him only score one point while getting seven rebounds. Then the 6-foot-7 forward ended the game with 17 points and 13 rebounds in 30 minutes to help University of the Philippines overcome Ateneo de Manila University, 81-74, in overtime.

UP moves one win away from annexing its first UAAP crown since 1986.

But for the two-and-through student-athlete, defense is all that matters. After all, it wins championships.

UAAP-84-MBB-ADMU-vs.-UP-Finals-G1-Zavier-Lucero-2204 Zav Lucero proves he is more than just a scorer for UP Basketball News UAAP UP  - philippine sports news

“Yeah, I think you touched on the defense for us,” said Lucero. “It’s just we know how good offensively Ateneo is. So this team really gotta lock in and play together on defense.

“Carl (Tamayo) did a great job on (Ange) Kouame, and all of our guys did a good job of trying to communicate and play through whatever we’re going through, and just play hard. So I’m happy. We showed last game the heart that this team has. I’m glad we kept it going.”

Down by as much as 12 points in the contest, Lucero played a key role in helping the Fighting Maroons find a way back in the fourth quarter. The California native scored 11 points in the period to provide a lifeline for the Fighting Maroons as the Blue Eagles threatened to pull away.

It was the Cal State Maritime Academy product’s determination that brought life back to UP. He scored seven straight baskets to trim the deficit to three. It included a huge offensive board over Kouame that led to an and-one, which then allowed James Spencer to sink a three-pointer to force overtime at 70-70.

#ReadMore  Napa glad to have 'minion' Steve Nash Enriquez back

Clearly, he is mentally tough to just keep going no matter how cold his hands can get.

UAAP-84-MBB-ADMU-vs.-UP-Finals-G1-Zavier-Lucero-1973 Zav Lucero proves he is more than just a scorer for UP Basketball News UAAP UP  - philippine sports news

“I’ve had worse games in the past too. I’ve been playing the game a long time to know that basketball is gonna be like that sometimes,” said Lucero, who had three single digit scoring games in the elimination round.

“As long as I can try to do the other things, it’s not all about putting the basketball in the hoop. We got a lot of guys that can score. But to answer your question – it felt good to see a couple go through, for sure.”

As it is said – it is not how one starts but how one finishes. Lucero has shown he can buck slow starts and he looks to be one of the Fighting Maroons’ main protagonists as they try to end that 36-year drought.

All UAAP games stream live on GigaPlay presented by Yamaha. Download it now on Android or IOS.SMART-x-Yamaha Zav Lucero proves he is more than just a scorer for UP Basketball News UAAP UP  - philippine sports news

Written By

Lorenzo's a frustrated author who knows a thing or two about Football and Basketball. Went all green from Ortigas to Taft. Supports Liverpool FC, FC Bayern Munich and the Alaska Aces


You May Also Like

Basketball

Francis Lopez had a forgettable outing against Adamson University last Sunday. Lopez, the second-leading scorer for the University of the Philippines this season, was...

Basketball

The ‘Battle of Katipunan’ rivalry has certainly intensified in the post-pandemic era, especially as archrival Ateneo de Manila University and University of the Philippines...

ADMU

University of the Philippines showcased its dominance over archrival Ateneo de Manila University with a commanding 28-point victory, 75-47, to enhance its pursuit of...

Basketball

After making a name for himself with University of the East in UAAP Season 85 in 2022, Gani Stevens surprised everyone by transferring to...

AdU

University of the Philippines secured its spot in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Final Four by holding off Adamson University with a...

ADMU

Just like that, the Philippine collegiate basketball season is approaching its most exciting phase, with the Final Four just weeks away in both the...

Basketball

A day after De La Salle University head coach Topex Robinson aired his grievances on the recent “spitgate” allegations, University of the Philippines guard...

Basketball

JD Cagulangan made a triumphant return in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament – helping University of the Philippines to an 83-73...

Advertisement