Zavier Lucero and the Magnolia Hotshots won four-straight games to take their spot in the PBA Commissioner's Cup playoffs.
It’s been a do-or-die situation for Magnolia since stumbling to a 3-6 start in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
But with no-quit players led by Zavier Lucero rising to the occasion, the Hotshots turned it around and won back-to-back-to-back-to-back games to grab their familiar spot in the playoffs.
The team produced the ultimate lifesavers in their last two assignments.
First, the Hotshots beat Meralco, 129-92, to force a tie for eighth with NLEX at 6-6 at the end of the elims. Then they followed it up with a runaway 112-81 verdict over the Road Warriors in their dispute for the no. 8 seed and the right to face no. 1 NorthPort in the quarters.
At the forefront of this charge was the 6-foot-6 Lucero, who punched in averages of 18 points (59-percent field goal shooting), 4.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists to help Magnolia survive then took the honor as the PBA Press Corps-Pilipinas Live Player of the Week.
However, Lucero was quick to deflect credit.
“It would have been all right if I had zero points because we’re playing as a team. I think it's whenever us as a team play with each other and through each other, that's when we play our best. So it's good that we're playing that way right now,” he said.
The survival mode continues in the quarterfinals, where the Hotshots face a twice-to-win disadvantage against the Batang Pier. But Lucero is confident Magnolia has what it takes to topple his former team.
“It’s the next team that we have to win against to be able to move on,” Lucero, whom Magnolia acquired from NorthPort last year in exchange for Jio Jalalon and Abu Tratter.
“We’ve been in four do-or-die (games); it’s two more do-or-dies to get to the next round and they’re the next team. So we have to prepare the right way and I’m confident we’ll be able to get the job done as long as we continue to play how we play (lately).”
Lucero was adjudged best for the period Jan. 29 to Feb. 2 over other candidates like Rain or Shine’s Anton Asistio and Magnolia teammate Ian Sangalang.