From his first year in the UAAP, Zavier Lucero was tagged as the UP Fighting Maroons' "Zavior."
With his arrival, State U won it all in for the first time in 36 years. In his second season, they are very much on track for a repeat performance.
Of course, "State U-nicorn" Carl Tamayo also had something to do with it. MVP-apparent Malick Diouf had something to do with it. Lifelong hero JD Cagulangan had something to do with it too.
But Lucero -- averaging 11.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.4 steals in 23 and a half minutes in Season 85 -- he has stepped it up in his last campaign in maroon and green. Despite missing out on an individual award, he has proven to have rounded out his game.
"For me, I think I've improved my shooting. And that's made things easier for me," Lucero said as UP advanced to the finals for the second tournament in a row. "It's just more of constantly being a threat and stepping into a role that holds the defense accountable. Whether it's to get myself or my teammates better looks."
More than the numbers, the 22-year-old has taken on a leadership role, going from "Zavior" to team leader.
"For me, more importantly, I'm just becoming a better leader on this team," he said. "And it's not all about basketball. It goes so much deeper, trying to get us to the best we can be. So I took it upon myself to try and be more vocal."
With the loss of Ricci Rivero and Noah Webb to graduation and CJ Cansino to injury, a steady hand was lacking in the Fighting Maroons' title defense. Lucero made sure they weren't going to miss a beat.
"A lot of these guys are pretty new to college basketball. Last year, I was new in terms of the country so this year, the guys got to know me better and we've been able to develop real relationships," Lucero said. "Now I know I have these guys' ears when I say something. I've just been around the block a little bit."
While his game was on display in his first season, the 6-foot-7 wing admitted that the intangibles needed a little more effort to catch up. He only moved to Manila in early 2022 and had about a month of training to prove himself to his teammates -- many of whom were UAAP veterans and blue-chip recruits.
As a first-year forward, he made an immediate impact for UP, contributing per game counts of a team-high 13.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.5 steals in 26 minutes in their title run. He got Diliman one of two spots in the Mythical Team and, more importantly, gave them a long-awaited championship.
"I pride myself in my IQ, understanding the game, and getting into details," he said. "So any way I can help our guys lock into the details, because basketball's a game of details, I do so. Because everything is there for the taking for them."
Whether it be encouraging Tamayo to impose his will, pushing Diouf to keep moving forward, giving confidence to Cagulangan to continue being himself, or giving an assist to the likes of Henry Galinato in their transition to the Philippine brand of basketball, Lucero is there to help.
Don't expect him to speak Tagalog anytime soon, though.
"I learned words, but definitely, I can't talk to these guys in Tagalog just yet," he said, through chuckles. "So I just appreciate them for trying to understand me."
Despite the language barrier, talents such as Tamayo and Diouf will listen to Lucero. Now he's made the most of this opportunity and hopes to continue delivering the goods here and onto the next level.
"For me, of course, I'm focused on his season. When (late) December hits, I got decisions to make, but I got some time," Lucero said. "For me, if I play in the PBA, that's awesome, if that's the best opportunity I have. As a player, I just have to be open to the best that can further my career. I'd love to keep playing here. Obviously, I'm loving it now."
Or perhaps, Gilas Pilipinas?
As he put it, "I'd love that. There'd be no greater honor than to wear that across my chest, for sure."
The fact of the matter is, however, the future remains far from his mind. State U has a strong shot at a second straight title -- after going three-and-a-half decades without celebrating one. Spearheading their try is Lucero -- not their savior, but their leader.
"In the U.S., I was also leading teams, but it's different with every team, especially coming here with the language barrier," Lucero said. "The Filipino players, they got a lot of pride so I had to prove myself before my voice held any weight."