Ricci Rivero

Ricci Paolo Uy Rivero (born May 25, 1998) is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). Rivero played for the De La Salle Green Archers in his first two years in collegiate basketball.[1][2] His breakout performance in the UAAP Season 80 men's basketball tournament earned him a spot in the Mythical Five and the Most Improved Player award.[3][4]

Not to be confused with Ricky Rivero.
In this Philippine name, the middle name or maternal family name is Uy and the surname or paternal family name is Rivero.
Ricci Rivero
No. 25 – Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters
PositionShooting guard / small forward
LeaguePBA
Personal information
Born (1998-05-25) May 25, 1998
Ilagan, Isabela, Philippines
NationalityFilipino
Listed height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Listed weight146 lb (66 kg)
Career information
High schoolLa Salle Green Hills
CollegeDe La Salle University (2016–2018)
University of the Philippines (2019–2022)
PBA draft2023: 2nd round, 17th overall pick
Selected by the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters
Playing career2023–present
Career history
2023–presentPhoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters
Career highlights and awards
Medals
Men's basketball
Representing  Philippines
SEABA U16 Championship
Gold medal – first place2013 YogyakartaTeam

In April 2018, Rivero announced that he has left the De La Salle Green Archers to focus on Gilas Pilipinas.[5] In May 2018, it was revealed that Rivero has transferred to be part of the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.[6] Rivero suited up in UP starting season 82 of the UAAP.[7]

He is also an actor who first featured in the MMFF film Otlum.[8][9]

Early life and high school career

Born and raised in Ilagan, Isabela Province, Rivero moved to Manila to complete his secondary education at La Salle Green Hills in Mandaluyong. In his final year of high school, he averaged 25.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.4 steals, and 1.9 blocks in the elimination round for the Greenies, but lost to the Arellano Braves in the first round of the playoffs.[10] In 2016, Rivero joined the De La Salle Green Archers.[11]

College career

De La Salle Green Archers

In his rookie season, the Archers won the championship.[12]

In his sophomore season, Rivero averaged 14.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.7 steals.[13] He led the Archers to the Finals, and earned Mythical Team Honors. He also won the Most Improved Player award.[4] However, in January 2018, he was cut from the squad along with older brother Prince and reserve Brent Paraiso.[13] The school said his suspension from the team was due to his endorsement deals, which is in conflict with a team rule. Later, in April, he announced on Twitter that he would exit the team.

UP Fighting Maroons

In May 2018, Rivero announced on Twitter that he would be joining the UP Fighting Maroons.[14] He redshirted Season 81 due to UAAP's eligibility rules.[14]

In Season 82, the Maroons made it to the semifinals where they lost to the UST Growling Tigers.[15]

He played for UP in Season 84, despite getting offers to play overseas in Japan.[16][17] They won the championship that season.[18]

Professional career

On June 24, 2022, Rivero signed with the Taoyuan Pilots of the P. League+.[19] However, he was released before the season started due to an ankle injury.[20][21]

On February 15, 2023, Rivero signed a short-term deal with the Blackwater Bossing Red President of the PBA 3x3.[22]

In September 2023, Rivero made a bid to enter the Philippine Basketball Association by applying for the PBA Season 48 draft,[21] where he was selected with the 17th overall pick by the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters. On October 2, he signed a two-year rookie contract with the team.[23]

National team career

Rivero first played for the Philippine national team in 2013, when the U16 team swept the SEABA Championships.[24] He was considered for the "23 for 23" pool, a pool of Gilas Cadets for the 2023 FIBA World Cup.[25] However, La Salle requested coach Chot Reyes to not include him in the lineup.[25] He also practiced with the senior team during the 2019 FIBA World Cup qualifiers.[26]

Rivero played in the 2015 U18 3x3 World Championship and in the 2018 U23 3x3 World Cup.[27] He also joined the Philippines team for the 2019 3x3 Asia Cup, but hurt his ankle in their opener against Thailand.[28]

Off the court

Film and TV

In 2016, he participated in the finale of Nike Rise Philippines, a reality documentary basketball development program aired on TV5.[29][30] He went up against Nike's final team along with other UAAP, NCAA and Perlas Pilipinas players.[29]

In 2018, he starred in his first film, Otlum.[8][9]

In 2020, Rivero became a permanent host of Brightlight Productions' Sunday Noontime Live!, which is aired on TV5 via a blocktime agreement.[31][32] When that show closed, he announced that he would take a break from acting to focus on his studies and basketball.[33]

Endorsements

Rivero is a very popular athlete, as he was named the "Most Tweeted and Most Talked-About Filipino Athlete" by Twitter Philippines.[34] He is an endorser for numerous companies such as Honda,[35] Globe,[36] Gatorade,[37] Nike,[38] and many more.

In 2021, he appeared in a Pepsi ad that was shown in Times Square, N.Y.C.[39]

Filmography

Television
YearTitleRoleNetworkNotesRef.
2021 Gen Z Migo TV5 Main Lead [40]

Film
YearTitleRoleStudioNotesRef.
2018 Otlum Dindo Horseshoe Studios Main Cast [9][8]
2021 Happy Times Kim Reality Entertainment Main Lead [41]
2021 Rabid Reggie Upstream Main Cast [42][43]
2022 Day Zero Paolo Reality MM Studios Main Cast

Personal life

On April 9, 2022, Rivero confirmed that he was officially in a relationship with actress Andrea Brillantes.[44][45] Their relationship lasted a little over a year before he announced on Twitter that they had split.[46] On October 22, 2023, Rivero confirmed that he is in a relationship with beauty queen and politician Leren Bautista.[47]

Before the start of UAAP Season 84, he pledged ₱250 to the UP Ikot Drivers Association who had been hit hard by the pandemic, for every point he scored.[48] He was able to raise ₱154,200, and other supporters rounded out the donations to a total of ₱200,000.[49]

References
  1. Corp., ABS-CBN. "Ricci's sole focus now is Gilas Pilipinas". ABS-CBN SPORTS.
  2. "- SPIN.PH - Sports Interactive Network Philippines". Sports Interactive Network Philippines.
  3. "Ricci Rivero makes final Mythical 5, leapfrogs foreigners Sarr, Gaye and Akom". Rappler. November 27, 2017. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  4. "Sports Desk UAAP Roundtable: First round rewind, second round preview". cnn. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  5. "Rivero breaks silence after going on leave from Green Archers". ABS-CBN News. February 5, 2018. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  6. "Ricci Rivero joins UP Maroons". INQUIRER.net. May 18, 2018. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  7. "Ricci Rivero joins the UP Fighting Maroons". Rappler. May 18, 2018. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  8. "Otlum manggugulat sa MMFF!". Philstar.com. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  9. "Meet the cast of the MMFF horror entry 'Otlum' | PUSH.COM.PH: Your ultimate showbiz hub!". PUSH. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  10. Terrado, Reuben (October 16, 2015). "La Salle one of top options for high school standout Ricci Rivero in college". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  11. Ganglani, Naveen (March 8, 2016). "Ricci Rivero commits to DLSU Green Archers". RAPPLER. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  12. Bracher, Jane (December 7, 2016). "La Salle sweeps Ateneo to become UAAP Season 79 champion". RAPPLER. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  13. Naredo, Camille B. "Ricci Rivero announces exit from La Salle". ABS-CBN News.
  14. "Ricci Rivero to join UP Fighting Maroons". Philstar.com. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  15. "Ricci Rivero insists he did best to fit into UP team 'full of stars' in debut". Spin.ph. November 13, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  16. Leongson, Randolph B. (September 15, 2021). "Remulla admits overseas offers hard to pass up for Ricci, other players". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  17. Catacutan, Dodo (July 6, 2021). "Top agent confirms Ricci Rivero offers from Japan, other Asian leagues". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  18. Li, Matthew (May 13, 2022). "Ricci Rivero savors second UAAP championship as T1 offer awaits". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  19. Agcaoili, Lance (June 24, 2022). "Ricci Rivero signs with Taoyuan Pilots in Taiwan P.League+ as world import". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  20. Leongson, Randolph (November 4, 2022). "Ricci Rivero released by Taoyuan even before P. League+ debut". spin.ph. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
  21. Bacnis, Justine (September 12, 2023). "After aborted Taiwan stint, Ricci Rivero eager to show wares in PBA". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  22. Rivero, Ricci (February 15, 2023). "Ricci Rivero joins Blackwater in PBA 3x3 after aborted Taiwan stint". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
  23. Li, Matthew (October 2, 2023). "Phoenix Super LPG locks Tuffin, Verano, Rivero, Daves to separate deals". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  24. Inquirer, Philippine Daily (July 20, 2013). "Pinoy U-16 cagers book Fiba Asia ticket". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  25. Saldajeno, Ivan (January 5, 2018). "Reyes bares reason for non-inclusion of Melecio, Ricci Rivero in Gilas Cadets pool". www.dugout.ph. Retrieved February 17, 2022.
  26. Terrado, Reuben (January 29, 2019). "Guiao scoffs at claims that call-ups of Thirdy, fellow amateurs a mere stunt". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  27. "Ricci Rivero". play.fiba3x3.com. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  28. Leongson, RANDOLPH B. (May 22, 2019). "Thailand downs Gilas, Rivero hurts ankle in opener of Fiba 3x3 Asia Cup". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  29. "'Rise' youngsters lose to Nike selection in final game". ABS-CBN News. August 24, 2015. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  30. Terrado, Reuben (July 21, 2015). "Meet the 24 Nike Rise aspirants: Who will rise to the top of their game?". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  31. "Ricci Rivero host sa TV5 Noontime Live". Philstar.com. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  32. "Ricci Rivero, ipinalit kay Donny Pangilinan sa Sunday Noontime Live". PEP.ph. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  33. "Ricci Rivero to take a break from showbiz, focus on hoops". Spin.ph. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  34. "Basketball star Ricci Rivero looks back on 2018, hopes for a better 2019". Spin.ph. January 2, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  35. "New-Gen Honda BeAT: Honda's "Scooter for All"". When In Manila. June 19, 2015. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  36. "Ricci Rivero on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  37. Macahilig, Lionell Go (August 27, 2020). "Gatorade powers Philippine basketball action in first-ever NBA Republika Playoffs Party". raconteurph.com. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  38. "LOOK: Ricci Rivero receives Nike Adapt BB". FASTBREAK.com.ph. April 1, 2019. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  39. "Local celebrities hit it big, appear in the streets of New York and Los Angeles for Pepsi". Inquirer Lifestyle. August 9, 2021. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  40. "A fresh and fearless depiction of 'Gen Z'". manilatimes.net. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  41. "Sharlene San Pedro, Ricci Rivero to star in new teen flick 'Happy Times'". myx.abs-cbn.com. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  42. "Rabid | Upstream PH". upstream.ph. Retrieved December 3, 2021.
  43. Hawson, Fred (March 12, 2022). "Netflix review: Erik Matti's 'Rabid' is eerie, entertaining". news.abs-cbn.com. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  44. Isaga, JR (April 9, 2022). "Ricci Rivero gets 'yes' from Andrea Brillantes after helping UP to 6th win". Rappler. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  45. Valderrama, Aeron Paul (April 9, 2022). "Ricci Rivero gets a 'yes' from Andrea Brillantes after UP-FEU game". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  46. "'Allow us to heal': Ricci Rivero breaks silence on split with Andrea Brillantes". news.abs-cbn.com. June 9, 2023. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  47. Aquino, Maine (October 22, 2023). "Ricci Rivero confirms relationship with Leren Bautista". GMANetwork.com. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  48. "Every point Ricci Rivero makes in last playing year will add P250 to jeepney drivers group". Spin.ph. March 25, 2022. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
  49. Leongson, Randolph B. (May 20, 2022). "Ricci Rivero formally turns over P200K donation to UP Ikot drivers". Spin.ph. Retrieved July 12, 2022.
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