Player of the Week Lucero shining bright in Magnolia's strong start

Magnolia's Zavier Lucero in action against San Miguel Beer in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup, April 16, 2025 at the Araneta Coliseum. PBA Images

MANILA -- The Magnolia Hotshots are off to a strong start in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup, and a big reason is the consistent play of their sophomore forward Zavier Lucero.

Lucero, the former University of the Philippines standout, stepped up as the Hotshots took on Converge and San Miguel Beer in back-to-back games after opening their campaign with a 106-84 drubbing of Blackwater.

In their duel with the FiberXers that served as part of the league's 50th anniversary day offering, Lucero fired nine of his 18 in the fourth quarter to spark Magnolia's 24-15 closing barrage that led to an 83-71 victory.

He followed this up with a game-high 24 markers with seven rebounds and two assists to help the Hotshots to a 98-95 come-from-behind overtime win over the Beermen in a thrilling battle for the solo lead on Holy Wednesday.

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For this pair of stellar performances, Lucero earned the citation as the PBA Press Corps-Pilipinas Live Player of the Week for the period of April 9 to 16.

Lucero earned his second POW citation for the season, becoming only the fourth player to do so. 

He was previously feted for the stretch of Jan. 29 to Feb. 2 after helping the Hotshots catch the last bus to the Commissioner's quarterfinals with a critical 129-92 romp over Meralco to end the elims and a 112-81 demolition of NLEX in the sudden death for No. 8.

Just like that first time, Lucero was quick to deflect credit.

"It was a team effort for sure," said Lucero, who beat teammate Ian Sangalang, NLEX's Xyrus Torres, Phoenix's Ricci Rivero and SMB's June Mar Fajardo for the weekly honors.

"I'm just grateful for the opportunity to be able to contribute. But sitting here (with individual citations) or me scoring or whatever it's (secondary). As long as we come out with the W, that's the most important part. I wouldn't be sitting here if guys didn't make plays down the stretch to make us win. It's a team sport, never just one. But all glory to God that I can do what I can do and hope I can continue."

Lucero and the Hotshots will return to action on Saturday, April 26, in an out-of-town game against Phoenix in Zamboanga City.