Magnolia's Zav Lucero. PBA ImagesMANILA, Philippines – Zav Lucero will be one proud alum as he cheers for the University of the Philippines (UP) in the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball Finals.
The Fighting Maroons will surely appreciate the rallying support of the UP community, Lucero included, as they take on the defending champion De La Salle University (DLSU) in a title series rematch starting this Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.
Lucero, though, has a take on how UP would get "good chances" at La Salle—playing as a team and utilizing the team's talent.
READ: UP's Lucero fully focused on UAAP title defense
In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Lucero, who was a part of the historic run of UP men's basketball team in Season 84 which ended a 36-year title drought for the State U, said they need to make sure that "the basketball is shared" among the Fighting Maroons.
READ: UAAP: Zav Lucero bids UP Maroons emotional goodbye
"I think their chances are good as long as they play as a team. I think that was our crutch when we lost the second time," said Lucero. "I think it's been UP's crutch for a while, just finding a way to put the talent together and making sure that the basketball is shared."
Talent surely is not lacking on the second-seeded UP side, bannered by JD Cagulangan, Harold Alarcon, Francis Lopez, and the like.
"And you know, basketball is a team sport, so I feel like if they use the talent and just really focus in on playing as a team, then, I mean, the players, the talent doesn't lie, you know," the Magnolia forward said.
"I'm rooting for them, obviously."
READ: PBA: NorthPort keeps perfect record after surviving Magnolia
Lucero has his own business to mind in the PBA Commissioner's Cup as he seeks to help Magnolia overcome a two-game skid on Wednesday, December 11, against the TNT Tropang Giga.
Their recent loss was handed by the NorthPort Batang Pier, 107-103, on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
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