PBA Player of the Week Lucero sustains Magnolia’s winning run

Magnolia’s Zavier Lucero. PBA ImagesMANILA — The Magnolia Hotshots sustained their winning ways, thanks to Zavier Lucero, who was hailed PBA Player for the Week for the period of October 7 to 11.

After a 1-3 start, the Hotshots are on a tear, surging with five straight wins despite coming off a break in the PBA Governors’ Cup.

“For us, it’s just about getting our rhythm through practice, working hard and staying ready because we know that we want to make it further this conference,” Lucero said.

His performance against Blackwater and Barangay Ginebra earned him the nod, averaging 19.0 points on 50-percent shooting with 6.0 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.0 blocks.

With the triumphs, Magnolia became the first team from Group B to qualify for the quarterfinals.

Lucero was chosen with the weekly honor for the first time this season by Press Corps members covering the PBA beat over Converge rookie Juan Gomez de Liano, with TNT’s Calvin Oftana also given consideration.

He came up big in Sunday’s Manila Clasico showdown with Ginebra, posting 21 points and nine rebounds plus two steals in a 112-93 victory that cemented Magnolia’s place in the quarters.

“A lot of the time, I’m guarding the import, but (against Ginebra), my teammates were,” Lucero said. “And then credit to the coaching staff for putting us in positions to run our offense, and all my points come through the offense.”