Youngsters like Lucero helping out old hands to give Magnolia strong start

Zavier Lucero (right) has been doing it all for Magnolia this early in the conference. —PBA IMAGES

Zavier Lucero constantly points out that his fine play for Magnolia early in the PBA Philippine Cup is about taking advantage of the opportunity.

It’s also not just a one-man show despite being named Player of the Game in two of the three wins the Hotshots have produced in as many games to gain the solo lead in the all-Filipino tournament.

“I wouldn’t be sitting here [in the postgame press conference podium] if guys don’t make plays down the stretch to make us win,” Lucero said after Magnolia’s 98-95 overtime win over San Miguel Beer at Smart Araneta Coliseum prior to the Lenten break.

Lucero, who was named PBA Press Corps Player of the Week, is one of the reasons for the Hotshots’ early success, which coach Chito Victolero will look to sustain after the last three conferences were saddled with quarterfinal exits.

And having a 3-0 record and beating one of the perennial title favorites in San Miguel is always a good place to start—especially before the two finalists of the previous two conferences begin their respective campaigns.

Grand Slam-seeking TNT and Barangay Ginebra are slated to make their Philippine Cup debuts against separate rivals on Wednesday, the same day action resumes from the current Holy Week break. Both teams are expected to figure prominently in the title chase and play spoilers to Magnolia’s own ambitions.

TNT faces NLEX while Ginebra battles Terrafirma at the Big Dome.

Extended break

For the Hotshots to sustain their play, they’ll have to keep the fine mix between youngsters like Lucero and rookie Jerom Lastimosa and the old guards in Mark Barroca, Ian Sangalang, Paul Lee and Calvin Abueva.

Lucero and Lastimosa were key in regulation play and extension against the Beermen, Barroca knocked down key shots that sealed the win, while Victolero lauded Sangalang for his defense on June Mar Fajardo down low.

“The combination of the veterans and the youth is really a big factor,” Victolero said. “Of course Zavier has been very consistent, Jerom has been key down the stretch and it’s all about the team effort.”

Magnolia will be having an extended break as its next game won’t be held until April 26, when the Hotshots travel to Zamboanga City to face the Phoenix Fuel Masters.

It’s going to be a homecoming not just for Barroca, but also for another rookie in Peter Alfaro, who has also been given some chances to thrive off the bench.