Ricci Rivero experiences whirlwind in first UAAP outing with UP

Literally, Ricci Rivero lived a full day in his first-ever UAAP-sanctioned outing with the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.

After a year of residency, the 6-foot-1 combo guard finally suited up for the Fighting Maroons in the UAAP Season 81 Men’s 3×3 Basketball tournament, Saturday. And the feeling of representing a school was something he had sought for an entire calendar year.

“I’ve been waiting for this the entire 2018. I haven’t been doing anything last year besides studying and working myself back. Siyempre, babalik pa rin ako sa sport na mahal ko talaga which is basketball,” expressed Rivero, who transferred to UP back in May after playing two years in La Salle.

“Sobrang saya ko to participate in the UAAP again. Siyempre, ang sarap to represent my school which is UP.”

The 20-year-old Isko though experienced a roller-coaster ride in his first UAAP game back since December 3, 2017.

Rivero started the day with a sensational nine-point, five-rebound outing in UP’s win over NU.

In his next game, he was thrown out due to him accumulating two unsportsmanlike fouls in UP’s triumph over FEU. Moreover, he figured in a brief confrontation with Alec Stockton.

Against the team his former mentor Aldin Ayo is now coaching, Rivero absorbed his first defeat as a Fighting Maroon in an 8-12 loss to UST.

The UAAP Season 79 Most Improved Player closed his day by posting five points and three rebounds in UP’s bounce-back win against his former school, La Salle.

But for him, he has to experience the highs and the lows as early as now as the former La Salle lifer wants to develop a strong bond with the Fighting Maroons.

“Bago pa lang ako sa UP pero getting to play with them who are really known sa UP community, sila talaga yung true UP,” Rivero said about playing with the Gomez de Liano brothers and Will Gozum.

“Kahit bago ako, silang tatlo may chemistry na. Isa yun sa wine-work on ko now, forming chemistry with each and every member of UP.”

Besides missing playing competitive collegiate basketball, the thing Rivero missed the most are the fans that have supported him in his career.

“Definitely, I missed the atmosphere.

“It’s really different to see a crowd cheer for you while doing the thing you love,” he expressed.

And as he got out of the court, Rivero made sure to grant pictures and sign autographs to the audience that trooped to the venue to watch his return.

Safe to say, the young Rivero missed this feeling.