RICCI Rivero left for Taiwan on Monday to join his club team Taoyuan Pilots for the coming season of the P.League+.
Rivero’s agent Charlie Dy of Virtual Playground said the former University of the Philippines standout is upbeat about meeting his new ballclub after becoming part of the next batch of Filipinos to take their talent abroad.
READ: Ricci Rivero signs deal to play for Taoyuan Pilots in Taiwan league
Dy said Rivero will still have to undergo health protocols in Taiwan including the mandatory one-week quarantine before joining the Pilots.
“Excited naman siya,” said Dy hours after Rivero left Manila on Monday morning. “Nandoon na siya and nakausap ko ‘yung isang team official nila. Nagsabi naman si Ricci na he is excited to join the team. Looking forward talaga siya.”
Dy said Rivero has been preparing himself physically as well as mentally for the long Taiwan season.
The amiable player agent also added Rivero and Virtual Playground have also turned down opportunities in showbiz for his upcoming stint abroad.
“Talagang pine-prepare na niya ‘yung mind niya na mawawala siya ng matagal. Kasi with the protocol, hindi rin siya puwedeng umuwi para magbakasyon. Talagang doon muna siya for the rest of the season, if ever,” said Dy.
“Actually, when he accepted the offer, talagang wala na. Lahat nang nag-offer, tinurn down namin. Kinukuha siya for movies and series pero nag-decline siya. We told them na talagang ang focus ni Ricci, basketball ang priority niya. Kaya naman siya nag-showbiz on the side kasi nag-pandemic.”
Dy said Rivero is working doubly hard for the P.League+ season as he looks to meet the expectations of the team as its world import.
“Nung nandito siya, everyday siya nagwo-work out. Nag-e-extra work naman siya, strengthening, improving his three-point shots kasi as world import, mataas ang expectations sa kanya. We told him about it. Nag-prepare naman siya. Hopefully, maganda ang ipakita niya,” Dy said.
Dy added he and Ricci's family plans to go to Taiwan for his games once restrictions are eased.
“Upon arrival sa Taiwan, may one-week quarantine. So he needs to quarantine three to four days sa hotel and then, three to four days kung saan siya titira. That’s the standard requirement,” said the player agent.
“’Yung parents niya and ako, may plano to go pero because of the strict protocols pa rin, hopefully, by January, kung ma-lift na ‘yung mga quarantine [requirements], we might watch the games,” said Dy.
Rivero hopes to make an impact for the Pilots, who finished last among six teams during last season's competition.
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