UP Fighting Maroon Zavier Lucero went down in Game 2 on what appears like a non-contact knee injury.
The UP community must be holding its collective breath, as one of its own—the high-flying Zavier Lucero—appears to have suffered a serious knee injury.
The apparent injury occurred in the fourth quarter of Ateneo’s 65-55 Game 2 win over UP to force another decider between the two storied programs. With just under 9 minutes in the game, Lucero drove hard on the left flank, only to have his left knee buckle and turn grotesquely inward, causing Lucero to collapse in a heap.
The 6-6 forward immediately clutched his left knee with both hands, in obvious pain.
UP courtside reporter Carla Elizaga later reported that Lucero had heard a “crack” when his knee buckled, potentially indicating a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). He was also seen unable to put weight on the injured knee, which might be another sign of the injury’s severity.
Lucero, whose two fourth-quarter blocks helped UP win Game 1, did not return to the game. And from the looks of it, the 22-year-old might be doubtful for Monday’s do-or-die game for the title.
(Editor's note: This is a developing story. One Sports will update this story as the situation develops.)