Ricci Rivero left the country on Monday as he embarks on a professional career in Chinese-Taipei.
It is the first time he will be away from his family for a very long time.
But the 24-year-old athletic winger knows that he won’t be alone when he begins playing for P.League+’s Taoyuan.
“I know that the adjustment of moving away from my home country will be difficult but with the support of over 150,000 Filipinos working and living there, I believe I won’t feel alone,” said Rivero, who is the first Southeast Asian in league history tapped as a world import.
“Humuhugot po ako ng lakas ng loob sa mga Pilipino na matagal din nagtatrabaho sa ibang bansa para sa kanilang mga pamilya. Sila po ang inspirasyon ko.”
Rivero will need to undergo seven-day quarantine before getting to join the Pilots for the first time.
Long is the season of the P.League as it begins in December and will run until late June.
Rivero knows that the path he chose is only granted to a select few.
Though tough, he is relishing it as playing overseas is a dream of his.
“Gagawin ko po ito para din sa aking pangarap.
“Hingi na lang po ako ng dasal at suporta. Hindi po magiging madali ang susubukan kong karera. Hihingi po ako ng tulong ninyo. See you in our games, please support me and my team,” he said.
