THE game between Terrafirma and Phoenix on Wednesday at faraway Ynares Center-Montalban in the PBA 50th Season Philippine Cup may end up as an insignificant one for most of the fans.
But for the Rivero household, it is certainly not.
Wednesday’s match between the Dyip and the Fuelmasters, both currently at the bottom of the Philippine Cup standings with 1-5 win-loss records, will go down as the first time that brothers Prince and Ricci face each other.
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Ricci swore that they never were opponents during their entire basketball careers, not even during their childhood, having been teammates at La Salle-Greenhills in high school and De La Salle in college.
“Actually, first time ko siya na makalaban ever,” Ricci said. “Excited ako. Excited ako for him.”
Ricci’s excitement over his elder brother is understandable.
The 30-year-old Prince recently returned to the PBA after a brief stint with Rain or Shine, the team that drafted him No. 7 in the 2019 draft. He bounced around in the PBA 3x3 and MPBL before coming back to Terrafirma for the 50th Season.
While Prince was out of the PBA, Ricci etched his name in the pro league, landing with Phoenix at the start of Season 48 in 2023 after being drafted at No. 17. The 27-year-old recently signed a contract extension with the Fuelmasters before the beginning of the 50th season.
Even on opposite sides, Ricci said playing against Prince has a special meaning as it is a reflection of how his older brother worked hard to come back in the PBA.
“Magiging worth it itong first time namin maglalaro at nasa magkaibang team and one league,” Ricci said. “I’m sure sobrang worth it din ‘yung ginawa niya. I’ve seen him work every day. On and off the court, sobrang dami niya rin ginawa talaga for him to be able to go back in the PBA."
Actually, Prince nearly played alongside Ricci at Phoenix. The elder Rivero was part of the Fuelmasters’ practice squad last season, and was showing up in their games to support his brother and the team.
“And ako, honestly, sobrang bow ako sa kanya especially when it comes to ‘yung smartness when he is playing, when he is on the court, what he can bring to the table, and makikita natin ‘yung little things talaga na ginawa niya rin for the team. Excited ako for him, and nakaka-proud also,” said Ricci.
“Siyempre, ni-look forward ko rin ‘yun na makapaglaro nga kami ulit together. Sobrang gaan kasama sa court, and I know kasi how he plays, I know what he does, especially to help his teammates. Sayang man ‘yung naiisip ko pero proud ako na nakabalik siya,” he added.
Tryout at Terrafirma
A chance to make it to the active roster at Terrafirma, however, prompted Prince to choose that option with the Dyip.
“Sinabihan ako na magkakaroon sila (Terrafirma) ng parang open tryouts,” Prince said. “Kailangan nga nila ng player. Ako, practice player lang naman ako sa Phoenix, and bumubuo pa lang din sila ng lineup. So, nag-try lang ako. Wala namang problema. Nag-paalam ako na puwede ba ako mag-try, mag-ensayo. And fair enough, nabigyan naman ako ng chance dito (Terrafirma).
“Siyempre grateful ako and thankful ako siyempre sa Phoenix for giving me the opportunity to practice and to grow and to stay in shape for the past year and a half with them,” he added.
Prince said he still can’t believe that he is now back in the PBA, and he is making the most out of the chance by being a good teammate. He also enjoys playing with Terrafirma since his teammates are generally his age, including Brent Paraiso, a former teammate at La Salle.
“Parang hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na kahit papaano, nabigyan ako ulit ng chance na makapaglaro ulit sa PBA and now with Terrafirma, kasama ko si Brent and some of my teammates before.
“Actually, it’s really good especially ‘yung sa team namin na kahit lahat medyo bata ‘yung age. Parang nandoon pa rin sa college kasi ka-edadan ko mga players ngayon sa Terrafirma. And I’m really glad doon sa ganung sitwasyon kasi lahat kami parang magkaka-vibes lang. Mas madali namin naiintindihan isa’t isa.”
“I’m going to try to help as much as possible,” Prince said on being with Terrafirma. “Maybe on and off the court, nasa bench man ako, kung ano ‘yung pagkukulang or kailangan kong i-fulfill in any way ako na makatulong.
"But mainly ngayon, tina-try ko lang na maging leader doon sa mga mas bata sa akin and to remind them na how lucky they are to be part of the PBA, and pag-igihan pa nila kasi hindi basta-basta ‘yung competition sa PBA and dapat nila alagaan ‘yung trabaho nila.”
Like Ricci, Prince is also thrilled to go up against his younger brother on Wednesday with the whole family expected to be present.
“I'm super excited with that, and siyempre ‘yung family ko rin excited. Pinag-uusapan na nga namin kung anong susuutin nila kapag naglaban ‘yung Phoenix and Terrafirma, kung sino ‘yung i-checheer nila. Baka magkasamaan ng loob,” said Prince in jest.
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