Ever since Kobe Paras left for the States three years ago, Ricci Rivero has always kept in touch with him. The two have always wondered when they can play together again.
Their dream of sharing the court together once again will come true as Paras is set to return to the country to join Rivero and the rest of the 23 for 2023 Gilas Cadets for the 2018 Filoil Flying V Preseason Premier Cup.
And no one was more delighted than Rivero himself.
“Siyempre sobrang looking forward kasi sobrang tagal na nung last time na naging teammates kami ni Kobe. Last naman after La Salle was yung [2015] 3×3 under-18 tapos tinuloy tuloy na niya sa States,” the former DLSU Green Archer expressed.
“Sana matuloy yung paguwi niya kasi sino bang may ayaw na may Kobe sa team.”
Back in the 89th Season of the NCAA, the two stalwarts, together with Prince Rivero, carried the La Salle Green Hills Junior Blazers to the Finals. However, they fell in two games to the mighty San Beda Red Cubs.
During the summer of that year, the two were teammates in the 2015 FIBA 3×3 World Championship but their team finished just in 17th place.
More mature and more experienced this time around, Rivero hopes that he and Paras can finally hoist a trophy together.
“Madami kaming unfinished business.
“Yung last time na magkakampi kami sa La Salle Green Hills pa. Finals yun pero di namin nakuha yung championship,” the 6-foot-1 swingman shared. “Sa first tournament namin together, sana mag-jell kami as a team.
“Sana manalo kami ng championship, hindi lang sa Filoil kung hindi for the country rin.”
