Maroons hope for best as Lucero awaits knee test results
MANILA, Philippines – Reigning champion University of the Philippines is praying for the best results with regards to Zavier Lucero's left knee injury as the UAAP Season 85 men's basketball finals heads to a winner-take-all Game Three next Monday.
The versatile forward already underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test Thursday morning, UP Fighting Maroons program director Bo Perasol told The STAR.
"We're still waiting for the advice of our medical team," said Perasol as UP absorbed a double whammy in a 65-55 loss against Ateneo in Game Three.
Lucero, in a non-contact incident, went down hard on his own early in the 8:31 mark of the fourth quarter with UP staring a 44-59 deficit.
The Filipino-American standout grimaced in pain holding on to his left knee and had to be carried out of the court.
As mentioned by UP courtside reporter Carla Elizaga on the TV broadcast, Lucero said he heard a "crack" after his scary fall that silenced the usually wild Diliman crowd.
"Hopefully, hindi naman sana ka-grabe. We'll know by today or the next day," added UP coach Goldwin Monteverde.
The 6-foot-6 Lucero finished with six points, 11 rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block in 28 minutes of action.
He served as the hero in Game One with 14 points, 11 rebounds and two assists as well as the two crucial blocks on Chris Koon and Ange Kouame that willed UP to a big 72-66 win in Game One.
UP, at press time, awaits Lucero's official diagnosis as it braces for an all-out war in Game Three at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Monday in a tough title defense.
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