‘No extra motivation’: Lucero all business vs ex-team NorthPort as Magnolia pulls away late

MANILA, Philippines – Zavier Lucero proved to be a thorn in the side of his former team NorthPort, powering Magnolia to a 105-94 victory in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, September 4.

Lucero produced 16 points, 12 rebounds, and 2 blocks in his first game against the Batang Pier as the Hotshots finally won back-to-back games after alternating wins and losses in their first four games of the conference.

Torching the team that made him the fifth overall pick in the draft last year, Lucero made key plays in an an 18-7 finishing run Magnolia used to seal the deal after NorthPort pulled level at 87-87 with five minutes remaining.

Lucero converted on a pair of layups and assisted on a two-handed jam by import Glenn Robinson that gave the Hotshots their first double-digit lead at 101-91 and effectively put the game beyond reach.

But the former UP standout said he treated the battle against the Batang Pier just like any other game.

“For me, I approach it the same no matter what game it is. But it was for sure fun to be on the other side, wearing different colors against guys that I saw every day,” said Lucero, who got traded for Jio Jalalon and Abu Tratter.

“But yeah, no added extra motivation.”

Robinson paced the Hotshots with 25 points, 11 rebounds, 4 steals, 3 assists, and 2 blocks in the nip-and-tuck affair marked by six deadlocks and 14 lead changes.

NorthPort kept in step with Magnolia despite playing without import Venky Jois, who got sidelined with a sprained ankle, and even momentarily held a 35-20 lead in the second quarter.

But the lack of firepower doomed the Batang Pier down the stretch as they saw Lucero conspire with Robinson and Paul Lee in the endgame in leading the Hotshots to a 3-2 record in Group A.

“They’ve put trust in me to come in and play to the best of my abilities and no pressure,” said Lucero. “I kind of just go out there and play my game and try my best to help the team win.”

Lee put up 20 points, 11 rebounds, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals, Calvin Abueva chimed in 10 points and 8 rebounds, Jerrick Ahanmisi added 10 points, while Mark Barroca delivered 6 points, 8 assists, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals.

Cade Flores posted 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks for NorthPort, which absorbed its second straight loss and fell to 2-3 going into the second half of its elimination-round schedule.

Arvin Tolentino had all-around numbers of 11 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals in the losing effort.

Going up against the team he represented for eight years, Jalalon tallied 5 points, 5 assists, and 2 steals.

The Scores

Magnolia 105 – Robinson 25, Lee 20, Lucero 16, Ahanmisi 10, Abueva 10, Sangalang 8, Barroca 5, Dionisio 5, Balanza 2, Dela Rosa 2, Laput 1, Mendoza 0, Eriobu 0.

NorthPort 94 – Flores 23, Munzon 13, Cuntapay 12, Tolentino 11, Yu 10, Onwubere 7, Jalalon 5, Bulanadi 4, Tratter 4, Nelle 3, Amores 2, Taha 0.

Quarters: 23-22, 46-46, 76-73, 105-94.

– Rappler.com