Ricci Rivero, once targeted for inclusion in the Gilas Pilipinas' 2023 FIBA World Cup squad, has thrown his hat into the Philippine Basketball Association Rookie Draft, the player's agent told Daily Tribune on Friday.
The 25-year-old cager last saw action in the PBA 3×3 with the Blackwater team where he teamed up with his brother, Prince.
Known for his athleticism, Rivero played for two different Universities Athletic Association of the Philippines squads La Salle (2017) and University of the Philippines (2021), both of whom he helped win a championship, before being recruited to suit up for the Taoyuan Pilots in the Taiwanese P.League+.
Rivero wasn't able to light up the scoreboard when he was released before the season started.
Several times, Rivero represented the national team, as a junior player in the Southeast Asia Basketball Association U16 Championship where the team won the gold, and also in the 2015 Under-18 3×3 World Championship and the Under-23 3×3 World Cup.
He also got an opportunity to train for Gilas then being handled by Yeng Guiao where he served as a practice player for the Jakarta Asian Games in 2018 and during the team's preparations for the 2019 FIBA World Cup.
Charlie Dy, Rivero's agent, likewise confirmed that Brent Paraiso is joining as well.
Paraiso was a member of Letran's champion team last year and also La Salle's successful title campaign in 2017.
Before competing for the Knights, Paraiso also joined hands with Rivero during the UAAP cage wars of 2017.