Zavier Lucero did not have the storybook ending to his short stint with University of the Philippines in the UAAP.
Ateneo de Manila University regained the crown after a 75-68 win in Game Three at the packed SMART Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.
And Lucero could not help but cheer on the sidelines, saved for a last second free throw, no thanks to a left knee injury he suffered back in Game Two last Wednesday.
All in all, with the pandemic forcing the league to conduct the men’s basketball tournaments of both Seasons 84 and 85 in 2022, Lucero played with UP for less than a year.
But the 6-foot-7 do-it-all forward could not have it any other way.
“It was amazing. I can’t put it into words. I think coming into this, I would have no idea that it would be this type of experience,” said Lucero, who is the all-time leading scorer of Cal State Maritime Academy.
Playing in the UAAP has been one hell of a ride for Lucero.
And had he only known what type of league he would be a part of, Lucero might have come to the Philippines earlier.
“I wish that it had more recognition around the world because even as a Filipino, I didn’t really know about it. If I knew about it earlier, maybe I would have came out earlier because the environment is just one that you don’t see any place in the world,” said Lucero.
“I’ll cherish this experience for the rest of my life for sure.”
In Game One, 18,211 fans wearing blue and maroon trooped to the SM Mall of Asia Arena. But that number would grew bigger and bigger.
Game Two drew 20,616 Ateneans and Iskos, while in Game Three, 21,814 came to support the schools.
Despite the ending he did not envision, that free throw with 0.7 seconds left on the game clock surely gave him somewhat of a fitting end.
And that surely gave him one last look at how great, appreciative, and fantastic the UP and UAAP crowd were.
“I was just happy to be able to step on the court one more time,” said the Season 84 Mythical Team member. “I didn’t like the way I thought I was gonna leave things. The plan was, whether we were gonna win or gonna lose, I’d check in one last time just to view the support from the crowd and the UP community.
“It warmed my heart for sure. That’s what I’ll remember for the rest of my life. I’m just glad I made it.”
The future of Lucero is hanging in the balance for now as he awaits what to do with his knee but one thing’s for sure, this is not the final chapter of his basketball career.
Once fully recovered, he just hopes teams will still give him a chance.
“I gotta get well. To be honest, I’m not sure. Obviously, things get tabled when you have to go rehab like I do but… I’ll get well, gonna find some teams, and I’ll probably get it,” said the athletic 6-foot-6 forward.
“Whoever it is, just give me a chance and I’m sure I’ll do the rest.”
