THE SAMAHANG Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP) is currently verifying whether Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots star Zavier Lucero is eligible to play as a local for Gilas Pilipinas national men’s basketball team.
Gilas head coach Tim Cone made the remark following questions from the fans if the former University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons star can join the squad as a local in the FIBA Asia Cup 2025 next month.
The winningest PBA head coach added that 26-year-old Lucero himself has shown his eagerness to participate in the national team, as he’s also been doing his part to help the federation.
“The SBP is checking that out now,” Cone said in an interview. “He is handing in all of his paperwork, and they’re checking that out now. We think he is, but not until we get full disclosure.”
Lucero was among the four additions named by Cone to the national team pool aside from Rhenz Abando and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings stars Jeth Troy Rosario and Rhon Jay Abarrientos.
Lucero hails from Vallejo, California, and was born to a Filipino mother and a Mexican-American father, and went to the Philippines back in 2022 to play for the Fighting Maroons.
Gilas Pilipinas opened their preparation with Abarrientos, Rosario, Earl Scottie Thompson, Japeth Aguilar, Jamie Malonzo, Calvin Oftana, Chris Newsome, CJ Perez, Carl Tamayo, and Dwight Ramos in attendance.
Abando and Lucero were not yet present as the former is currently with Strong Group Athletics bound for the William Jones Cup in Taiwan, and the latter still on vacation in the United States./PN
