Taiwanese club releases Rivero

Ricci Rivero has been released by the Taoyuan Pilots of P.League+ on Friday due to an undisclosed injury.

The two-time University Athletic Association of the Philippines champion was waived by the squad just a week before the Pilots begin their campaign on 12 November.

The club in a statement said that parting ways with the 24-year-old Rivero was a hard decision as he would have been a key addition to the squad's bid in the Taiwanese pro league, which is set to unwrap its latest season on Saturday.

"GM Sean Chen said it was a hard decision. He considers Ricci a very skilled player with a great attitude," the club said in a statement.

"However, due to his injury, Ricci wouldn't be able to compete at his best level for the upcoming regular season games."

Rivero, who also played for the national team, joined the club last September but saw limited action in the preseason. He played only one game for the Pilots as he was hobbled by a past injury that the club did not mention in its statement.

"His past injury (made) him unable to show his best performance during training and preseason games. Wishing you the best Ricci! Good luck."

Rivero was a vital cog in University of the Philippines' UAAP title run in Season 84 early this year.

He averaged 13.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.3 steals in his last year in the collegiate ranks.

Rivero won his first UAAP championship in 2016 when he suited up for De La Salle University. He transferred to UP in 2018.