MONTALBAN, Rizal – Brothers Ricci and Prince Rivero admitted there was added motivation to play their best against each other for the first time in their basketball careers.
Ricci was on the winning end in this one, with Phoenix beating Prince’s Terrafirma, 107-76, on Wednesday in the PBA 50th Season Philippine Cup.
Ricci had 16 points and six rebounds for the Fuel Masters, while Prince struggled with only two points and two rebounds for the Dyip.
READ: Rivero, Ahanmisi brothers mark a rare moment in PBA history
“It was fun,” said the 27-year-old Ricci on playing against Prince after being teammates for the longest time dating back to their high school days at La Salle Green Hills. “First time namin maglaro again against each other in this stage sa PBA. I’m just really thankful we got the win, but I’m really happy for him."
“Minsan kailangan din ng mga ganun, trash talk sa bahay,” he added. “Ok din ‘yun. Kailangan ma-challenge din siya, pati si Brent [Paraiso] na sobrang close ko rin.”
Ricci said Prince actually asked him if he wanted to go to the game together at the Ynares Center-Montalban. They also had a lengthy conversation the night before the match.
“Actually, nagtanong siya kung gusto ko daw bang sabay. Sabi ko kalaban ka, so hindi na lang,” said Ricci.
“Nag-usap na kami kagabi pa lang. Tagal namin nag-usap. Sabi ko sa kanya, just play your game. Kung may mase-share ka man sa team mo regarding me, kung ano ‘yung pwede kong gawin, ok lang sa akin kasi siyempre team mo.”
The 30-year-old Prince said he also wanted to win against Ricci being the eldest among seven children. Unfortunately, he sustained a minor calf injury, and Terrafirma was just firing blanks, shooting just 31-percent from the field.
Phoenix, on the other hand, made 51-percent of its field goal attempts.
“Of course,” answered Prince when asked if there was extra motivation playing against his younger brother. “Kasi dati, palagi kaming magkakampi. Ngayon, magkalaban kami. Siyempre, gusto ko manalo ako kasi ako ‘yung panganay, pero that’s not the case, nanalo sila."
"But again, I gave my all. May mga instances lang talaga na hindi namin kontrolado. Pero nevertheless, masasabi ko sa kahit sinong magtanong sa akin na binigay ko ‘yung best ko.”
Acknowledge the Rivero bloodline
They may have been opponents, but overall, both Ricci and Prince are happy for each other on how their careers are panning out, as well as the opportunities they are getting with their teams
“Actually, sobrang saya ko. Though he was with us for like a year, pero nakita naman natin he is given so much opportunity and he is playing really good for Terra. I’m just thankful for the team, for Prince, for the great opportunity for him,” said Ricci, as he had his kuya with him in the Fuel Masters last season.
For his part, Prince can't wait to watch Ricci's continued ascent for Phoenix, saying, “Pagkakakilala ko naman sa kanya, masipag naman ‘yan eh. For me, I think his time will come. And ngayon, medyo papunta na dun."
"Happy ako para sa kanya siyempre kasi nakikita ko siya na nag-grow, naglalaro nang mas maganda. Mas malaki nga ‘yung responsibilities na binigay sa kanya. And sana matuloy-tuloy niya ‘yung laro niya na maayos.
“Again magkalaban kami sa court, pero outside, magkapatid pa rin kami. So, siyempre gusto ko rin yung success na dumating din sa kanya.”
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