Zavier Lucero has officially joined NorthPort after signing a two-year contract with the Batang Pier.

Lucero’s agent, Marvin Espiritu of Espiritu Manotoc Basketball Management, and NorthPort club manager Pido Jarencio acknowledged the agreement, despite the fact that his player is still in the United States rehabbing from an ACL injury suffered while playing for the University of the Philippines.

Despite the injury, the 6-foot-6 Lucero’s upside led NorthPort to pick him early, and the Batang Pier selected the Concord, California native with the No. 5 choice.

Due to the injury, Lucero is not expected to play for the Batang Pier in the upcoming PBA season, but his camp is confident about a quick recovery after he was injured during the UAAP Season 85 finals last December.

Last season in the UAAP, Lucero averaged 11.36 points per game for the Fighting Maroons, trailing only Carl Tamayo. In 14 games, he also had 5.29 rebounds, 1.93 assists, and 1.43 steals, with all but one coming off the bench.

Lucero received a Mythical Five award during the Fighting Maroons’ championship season in the UAAP Season 84 in 2022.

On the other hand, JAMIKE JARIN has been named the permanent head coach of Phoenix Super LPG, after serving as an interim coach at the start of the season.

On the same day that the Fuel Masters formally welcomed Kenneth Tuffin, Raffy Verano, Ricci Rivero, and Matthew Daves, Phoenix Super LPG team manager Paolo Bugia announced the appointment.

Jarin took over as interim coach in January when Topex Robinson accepted an offer to take over at De La Salle.

Jarin had an NCAA championship in 2016 as the head coach of San Beda. He also led Ateneo to three UAAP junior championships.

In the second round, the Fuel Masters chose Tuffin at No. 6 and Verano and Rivero at Nos. 16 and 17.

Phoenix, on the other side, acquired Daves in the third round at No. 28.