After a month, incoming De La Salle University junior Ricci Rivero finally broke his silence regarding the rumors circulating about the one-year leave of absence he, Prince Rivero, and Brent Paraiso have taken from the Green Archers.
Rivero confirmed that the reason he asked for a leave of absence from the team was so he could fulfill his obligations to his corporate sponsors.
“For the record, I never missed out on any class, practice, or game just because I have an engagement to attend. I never had an event a day prior to any basketball schedule,” Rivero’s statement opened that affirmed La Salle’s statement regarding the matter last Feberuary 2. “My scope of work were limited to social media postings, no video shoot that will require extreme physical activities as due diligence of avoiding any injury. With these limited scope of engagement, my top priority and focus remains with playing basketball.
“I know my obligations to the team and there is no way I will be giving them any less than expected from me because of these. While all of these were on-going last year, my stats and school records will all prove if this indeed became in any way a distraction,” added Rivero, who averaged 14.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.5 steals a season ago.
“My leave of absence is not about choosing priorities and greed, but it is about honoring my commitments and respecting the new team rules that was just implemented.”
Moreover, the 19-year-old vehemently denied all the gossip that is being spread against them, which includes testing positive for use of drugs and having a “benefactor”.
“I am aware of the rumors and speculations circulating on social media and all those who personally expressed their concern to us from inside and outside the community – buzzes about alleged drug usage and alleged acceptance of many from gay benefactors – I remained mum about it until I saw the need to speak up now and defend ourselves once and for all.”
Rivero then posted his hair follicle test result, which shows he tested negative for all banned substances.
The incoming junior then thanked everyone for their support.
“I’m worried that my love for this sport turns into hate so I’m praying for God to heal the pain these accusations are causing me and my family now — so I can be the same athlete that everyone expects me to be and the same Ricci that God prepares me to be.”
