Zavier Lucero ready for crucial Gilas role in Asian Games defense

Magnolia Hotshots’ Zavier Lucero during a game against Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup.-Lucero is expected to play a crucial role for Gilas Pilipinas in the Asian Games. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Zavier Lucero is looking to carry his role as one of the best defenders in the PBA into Gilas Pilipinas when it tries to retain the gold in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

The Magnolia forward will be among those coach Tim Cone and his staff are going to bank on to make Gilas efficient at making stops during the course of the continental meet.

READ: Gilas Pilipinas at Asian Games 2026: What you need to know

“It’s going to be super important,” Lucero said during a recent virtual press conference arranged by the Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP).

“I think everyone on this team has the capacity to be a good defender. If we just defend as a team, I think that’s the most important thing. No one can stop the team by himself,” he added.

Lucero is one of the tallest players on the team at 6-foot-6, though he’ll likely play the role of guarding not just the shaded lane, but multiple positions.

“I’m taking my role as I take my role on any team [which is] first to defend,” he said. “So I think everyone’s taken that approach and if we can work together as a team, play team defense, and rebound, that should help our offense.

READ: Shorter Gilas crew to run foes to the ground in defense of gold

“And that’ll help us to be able to outrun these teams and play to our advantage,” added Lucero.

Gilas’ defense will have plenty of work that needs to be done after being handed an 81-55 loss by South Korea in the first of two tune-up games in Suwon.

More than its offensive woes was Gilas allowing South Korea to knock down nine triples, seven coming from Hyungjun Lee.

That game also saw Lucero appearing for 30 minutes and finishing with three points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals.