Camille Naredo

Magnolia's Zav Lucero in action against Meralco in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup on Jan. 31, 2025 at the PhilSports Arena. PBA Images

Magnolia's Zav Lucero in action against Meralco in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup on Jan. 31, 2025 at the PhilSports Arena

Article (news)

PBA Season 49

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1738581639475020325_Zav Lucero.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Magnolia&#x27;s Zav Lucero in action against Meralco in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner&#x27;s Cup on Jan. 31, 2025 at the PhilSports Arena. PBA Images"/>Magnolia&#x27;s Zav Lucero in action against Meralco in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner&#x27;s Cup on Jan. 31, 2025 at the PhilSports Arena. PBA Images</div>MANILA -- Mired in a do-or-die situation since stumbling to a 3-6 start in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner&#x27;s Cup, Magnolia has 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 in a bid to further extend their campaign.They showed their grit in their last two assignments, beating Meralco 129-92 to force a playoff against NLEX for the eighth spot at the end of the elimination round. A 112-81 demolition of the Road Warriors on Sunday clinched the Hotshots&#x27; 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% shooting on top of 4.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists to help his team stay alive.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/2/2/pba-magnolia-ousts-nlex-sets-up-qfinals-bout-vs-northport-2153">READ: Magnolia comes alive in 2nd half vs. NLEX, sets up q’finals bout with NorthPort</a></div>He earned PBA Press Corps-Pilipinas Live Player of the Week for his efforts, but Lucero was quick to deflect the credit.&quot;It would have been all right if I had zero points because we&#x27;re playing as a team. I think it&#x27;s whenever us as a team play with each other and through each other, that&#x27;s when we play our best. So it&#x27;s good that we&#x27;re playing that way right now,&quot; he said.Magnolia remains in survival mode, as they face a twice-to-win disadvantage against the Batang Pier. However, their recent form gives Lucero plenty of confidence, even as they are up against his former team.&quot;It&#x27;s the next team that we have to win against to be able to move on,&quot; said Lucero, whom Magnolia acquired from NorthPort last year in exchange for Jio Jalalon and Abu Tratter.&quot;We&#x27;ve been in four do-or-die (games); it&#x27;s two more do-or-dies to get to the next round and they&#x27;re the next team. So we have to prepare the right way and I&#x27;m confident we&#x27;ll be able to get the job done as long as we continue to play how we play (lately),&quot; he added.Lucero was adjudged best for the period Jan. 29 to Feb. 2 over other candidates like Rain or Shine&#x27;s Anton Asistio and Magnolia teammate Ian Sangalang.

Mired in a do-or-die situation since stumbling to a 3-6 start in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup, Magnolia has leaned on players like Zav Lucero to turn their fortunes around.

Mired in a do-or-die situation since stumbling to a 3-6 start in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup, Magnolia has leaned on players like Zav Lucero to turn their fortunes around.

PBA: Zav Lucero shines in Magnolia's turnaround in Commissioner's Cup

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

BINI

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Basketball

PBA: Zav Lucero shines in Magnolia's turnaround in Commissioner's Cup

ABS-CBN News

Published February 03, 2025 07:22 PM PHT

Read More:

abssports

basketball

PBA

PBA Season 49

PBA Commissioner's Cup

Magnolia Hotshots

Zavier Lucero

Player of the Week

PBA Player of the Week

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

ABS-CBN Newsletter

Your go-to source for the latest news, entertainment highlights, exclusive interviews, and updates on your favorite Kapamilya stars.

Sign Up

I have read and agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy.

Haven't received our newsletter?

Check your inbox to verify and confirm your subscription.

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.