Phoenix Super LPG has a lot of faith in its acquisition of Ricci Rivero.

Picked 17th overall in the Philippine Basketball Association Rookie Draft, Rivero was among the most recognizable names in the pool of talent that the Fuel Masters moved heaven and earth to sign him up.

"I was on vacation and I told them 'get Ricci, get Ricci!," team governor Raymond Zorilla told DAILY TRIBUNE, stressing that he made frantic calls to team manager Paolo Bugia to ensure that the squad gets Rivero.

"We were so lucky that he ended up in our laps, and immediately, the guy proved his worth during the tune up games with Blackwater, Converge and Rain or Shine. He might be the biggest steal in the draft," he added.

Rivero, who won two collegiate titles with La Salle and University of the Philippines, and was a one-time Gilas Pilipinas candidate, pumped in 28 points when Phoenix lost to Blackwater, 100-96, in a tuneup game a few days ago.

Phoenix is expected to give Rivero, who stands 6-foot-2, all the opportunities to shine just like what the team did to Tyler Tio and Encho Serrano last year.