Mired in a do-or-die situation since stumbling to a 3-6 start in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup, the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots leaned on players like Zav Lucero to turn their fortunes around.
A four-game winning streak spurred the Hotshots to the playoffs, where they will now play against top-seeded NorthPort Batang Pier in a bid to further extend their campaign.
They showed their grit in their last two assignments, beating the Meralco Bolts, 129-92, to force a playoff against the NLEX Road Warriors for the eighth spot at the end of the elimination round.
A 112-81 demolition of the Road Warriors on Sunday, February 2, clinched the Hotshots’ spot in the quarterfinals.
Lucero has been a spark for Magnolia in their turnaround, as the former University of the Philippines standout averaged 18 points on 59 percent shooting on top of 4.5 rebounds and three assists to help his team stay alive.
He earned PBA Press Corps-Pilipinas Live Player of the Week for his efforts, but Lucero was quick to deflect the 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.
Magnolia remains in survival mode, as they face a twice-to-win disadvantage against Batang Pier.
However, their recent form gives Lucero plenty of confidence, even as they are up against his former team.
“It’s the next team that we have to win against to be able to move on,” said 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],” he added.
Lucero was adjudged best for the period January 29 to February 2 over other candidates like Rain or Shine Elasto Painters’ Anton Asistio and Magnolia teammate Ian Sangalang. (ABS-CBN News)