Ricci Rivero is hell-bent on helping University of the Philippines annex the UAAP Season 84 Men’s Basketball Tournament crown – so much so that he is skipping any future plans to join the Philippine Basketball Association for now.
Rivero scored crucial points in the Fighting Maroons’ 81-74 win over the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles. Afterwards, though, he stayed silent on why he is pausing his application for the upcoming PBA Draft.
“No comment muna,” said the Isabela native.
During UP’s thrilling win, the former UAAP Mythical Team member scored on the go-ahead bucket. He made a tough lay-in plus the harm against Raffy Verano – who fouled out from the game because of it.
Rivero ended up with a game-high 19 points – adding to his banner season. Prior to this game, the 6-foot-1 winger was averaging a team-high 13.31 points, 4.38 rebounds, 2.25 assists, and 1.44 steals per contest.
Truly, a stint in the pros can wait. Being part of the team that wins UP its first crown since 1986 will make him an immortal in the school’s sports history.
But according to his agency Virtual Playground, Rivero remains laser-focused on ending his collegiate career with championship glory. Hence why he skipped the draft.
Sources have told Tiebreaker Times, though, that there are multiple teams in Japan, Taiwan, and Korea interested in the high-flying hotshot.
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