By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
One of the most celebrated UAAP superstars will finally return to playing basketball after almost a year of hiatus due to a recurring injury.
Ricci Rivero, a two-time UAAP men’s basketball tournament champion with the De La Salle University (DLSU) Green Archers and the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons, just signed a contract with the Blackwater Red Bossing confirmed last February 15, 2023.
The flashy shooting guard is ready to take his talents to the PBA 3×3 scene after proving himself in the UAAP 5×5 from 2016-2021.
Rivero was supposed to reinforce the Taoyuan Pilots in the Taiwan P. League but was released immediately after the team bared that he can’t play most of the season due to his injury.
Now that he is all healed up, Rivero is ready to play his first professional hoops game and lead the Blackwater 3×3 franchise to glory.
The young superstar is no stranger to the 3×3 scene after representing the Philippines during the 2015 FIBA tournament together with Kobe Paras, Richard Escoto, and Mike Nieto.
Rivero made louder noise during the 2018 FIBA 3×3 Under-23 World Cup when he led the team in scoring and turned heads with his several dazzling performances.
The former Fighting Maroons captain made it to the FIBA highlight central several times after showcasing his signature euro step and crossover moves against the other participating countries.
According to multiple sources, the Red Bossing will be fielding Rivero this weekend when the upcoming leg of the PBA 3×3 resumes.
Rivero will be expected to take the 3×3 squad to greater heights and matchup well with fellow stars Almond Vosotros, Negrense Jeff Manday, and Tonino Gonzaga.
