Victolero hopeful Lucero can play in Magnolia-RoS do-or-die

CHITO Victolero hopes to have big man Zavier Lucero back in the active roster in time for Magnolia’s do-or-die game with Rain or Shine for a seat in the PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals.
The sophomore center missed out Game 4 of the best-of-five series due to a concussion he suffered during the previous game.
Despite Lucero’s absence, the Hotshots won the game by a blowout, 129-120, to pave the way for the winner-take-all encounter on Saturday.
“Concussion protocol. Medyo masakit pa yung ulo niya,” said Victolero of the Fil-Am out of University of the Philippines, who was in street clothes on Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
A small bandage was still attached on the side of Lucero’s right eye where he suffered a huge cut after banging his head to the floor while trying to chase a looseball in the second half of Game 3.
The first round pick in last year’s draft returned to the game despite wearing a huge dressing on his right eye and finished with 24 points and nine rebounds in a 111-106 overtime loss.
But after a five-day rest, Victolero is keeping his fingers crossed Lucero will be healthy enough to suit up in Magnolia’s biggest game of the conference.
“If he is good, he will play on Saturday,” said Victolero of his prized big man.
Winner of the match will face Group A top seed TNT in the semis, a best-of-seven series which starts on Wednesday.(RG)