Continuing to be a revelation for the Fighting Maroons, the Filipino-American forward erupted for 21 points and 14 rebounds including nine offensive boards, two steals and a block as they notched their fifth consecutive win for a 5-1 record behind unbeaten champion Ateneo.
Malick Diouf and James Spencer also stepped up for veteran Ricci Rivero’s scoreless showing with seven each for the Fighting Maroons, who eked out another close win after overcoming Adamson on Tuesday, 73-71. Despite a sizzling four-game winning rampage, the sloppy Fighting Maroons with 23 turnovers trailed for the most part of the game including a 45-52 deficit midway through the payoff period before Mr. Lucero, who sizzled for 20 against the Soaring Falcons, took over.