RICCI Rivero confirmed he is entering the PBA Rookie Draft this year, saying that it has always been his dream to enter the domestic league since he was young.
Rivero told Noli Eala during his Power and Play program that he intends to play in the PBA in the coming season after a very brief stint with Taoyuan Pilots in Taiwan’s P.League+.
Even though he accepted the Taiwan offer, the former University of the Philippines cager said the PBA was always a part of his plan, with former Barangay Ginebra stars Mark Caguioa and Jayjay Helterbrand as his biggest influences.
“It’s always been the dream,” said the 25-year-old Rivero on Saturday. “Growing up, nung bata pa ako, kapag nakakaluwas kami ng Manila, kasi nasa Isabela pa po kami, sobrang saya namin na nakanood lang kami ng PBA. Makita lang namin ‘yung ‘Fast and Furious,’ sobrang idol si Kuya Jay at Kuya Marc.”
“Sobrang nakakatuwa lang din na we were given a chance to play overseas. A lot of players grabbed it kasi malaking opportunity naman ‘yun. Nakakaproud din na kahit gusto natin na nandito naglalaro, pinapaganda natin ‘yung liga sa Pilipinas, pero if merong chance for us to play overseas, why not give it a try or maging masaya tayo sa isa’t isa na ‘yung Filipinos, iniimport na nila.”
READ: Ricci Rivero joins Blackwater in PBA 3x3 after aborted Taiwan stint
“Sa PBA, sobrang pangarap din talaga na makapaglaro ako diyan. Hindi lang siguro na-grab agad ‘yung opportunity kasi may chance na ma-try din sa ibang country. Pero eto na po… It’s always been the dream naman growing up kaya nag-start ako mag-basketball,” said Rivero.
Rivero will be one of the high profile names that will enter the PBA when it holds its Rookie Draft on September 17 at the Market! Market! in Taguig City. Aside from being a collegiate player, Rivero also dabbled into showbiz appearing in several TV, movies, and commercials over the past years.
Once he gets drafted in the PBA, Rivero said he just wants to be a player that can be relied upon by his coach in any areas of their game.
“I’ve always been close to my coaches kasi gusto ko, ‘yung gusto nila at hinahanap nila sa akin na mai-provide ko sa team, maybe sa defense man o sa offense o little things, the hustle, the energy, para tumaas ‘yung morale ng nasa loob ng mga players na naglalaro, malaking bagay na po ‘yun,” said Rivero.
Rivero also doesn’t have any PBA team in mind that he wants to be a part of.
“Wala naman sa akin kung saan ako mapunta o pang-ilan. Looking forward lang ako sa draft kasi malalaman mo kung saan ka maglalaro. Gusto ko siyempre ‘yung magfi-fit sa team at ‘yung kailangan ng team. I’m just excited na mabigay din naman sa kanila ‘yung hinahanap nila,” said Rivero.
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