Magnolia secures Lucero with fresh two-year deal

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Magnolia Hotshots Chicken Timplados and forward Zavier Lucero finally agreed to terms after reaching an extension deal confirmed on Sept. 13, 2025.

According to multiple reports, the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons standout signed a two-year contract deal and will stay with the Magnolia franchise until the off-season of the 2027 PBA season.

With the contract signing now official, rumors of Lucero joining the PBA overseas exodus were shut down, after he was believed to suit up in the Korean Basketball League (KBL).

The Chicken Timplados knew they were about to lose a talented player, after the hybrid forward who can defend all positions averaged 14.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.7 assists, and 1.2 blocks in his two-year tenure with Magnolia.

Despite those All-Star numbers, Lucero’s efficiency alone failed to steer the Hotshots back to the PBA Finals but instantly earned his spot in the tight player rotation.

This time, Lucero will be playing in a different system under the team’s newly-hired head coach, LA Tenorio, who replaced Chito Victolero.

Lucero shone under Victolero’s wings when he received several offensive plays down the block, and it is up to Tenorio to keep those or designate him to more offensive options together with Mark Barroca, Paul Lee, and Ian Sangalang.

The Hotshots also found another scoring boost in Javi Gomez de Liaño when they successfully traded him from the Terrafirma Dyip several weeks ago.

Aside from those players, Magnolia also drafted a possible front-court pair for Lucero, San Beda’s steady stretch big man Yukien Andrada.

It has been three years since Magnolia hit rock bottom, entering a grand finals drought for the first time this decade.

Will Lucero and company help reverse the franchise’s fortunes and revamp the team’s spirits in the upcoming PBA conference?