Push Admin

Article (news)

UAAP: UP's Lucero to stay for Season 85

Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Zavier Lucero of the UP Fighting Maroons against the Ateneo Blue Eagles during Game 1 of the UAAP Season 84 Men’s Basketball Finals on May 8, 2022. UAAP Media" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/sports/07/19/20220508-uaap-admu-vs-up-game-1-ho-12.jpg"/><figcaption>Zavier Lucero of the UP Fighting Maroons against the Ateneo Blue Eagles during Game 1 of the UAAP Season 84 Men’s Basketball Finals on May 8, 2022. UAAP Media</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA, Philippines -- University of the Philippines (UP) forward Zavier Lucero has decided to play his final year of eligibility in the UAAP, boosting the Fighting Maroons&#x27; campaign for Season 85.Fil-Am Nation Select&#x27;s Cris Gopez, who helped facilitate Lucero&#x27;s recruitment, confirmed the development to ABS-CBN News on Tuesday. &quot;They made history, so now, it&#x27;s time to hopefully prove to everybody that it wasn&#x27;t a fluke,&quot; Gopez said.Lucero had &quot;a couple of options in Taiwan,&quot; according to Gopez, but was convinced to stay in UP for a chance to win back-to-back UAAP championships. <ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/04/10/22/amid-mvp-chants-lucero-says-up-is-focused-on-one-goal">READ: Amid MVP chants, Lucero says UP is focused on one goal</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/04/26/22/uaap-ups-lucero-unfazed-by-rough-second-round">READ: UP&#x27;s Lucero unfazed by rough second round</a></li></ul>Season 85 is expected to start in October, with UP set to defend their crown after ending a 36-year title drought back in May when they dethroned Ateneo de Manila University in a classic finals series.Lucero made an immediate impact for UP in Season 84, earning Mythical Team honors after averaging 13.43 points, 8.07 rebounds, 1.64 assists, and 1.5 steals in the elimination round. He is expected to have an even bigger role for UP in Season 85 after they bid goodbye to veteran guard Ricci Rivero, while CJ Cansino will miss the men&#x27;s basketball tournament as he recovers from a knee injury. &quot;We looked at every option [for Zavier], but the more important thing was stability,&quot; Gopez said of the decision made by the Filipino-American forward. &quot;What you can do with UP is, you can leave a legacy.&quot;Catch replays of UAAP Season 84 games via the UAAP Varsity channel on iWantTFC, available for Premium users outside the Philippines.

UP forward Zavier Lucero has decided to play his final year of eligibility in the UAAP, boosting the Fighting Maroons' campaign for Season 85.

UAAP: UP's Lucero to stay for Season 85

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Sports

UAAP: UP's Lucero to stay for Season 85

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published July 19, 2022 02:16 PM PHT

Read More:

basketball

UAAP

UAAP Season 85

UP Fighting Maroons

Zavier Lucero

Fil-Am Nation Select

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

Haven't received our newsletter?

Check your inbox to verify and confirm your subscription.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.