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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Ricci Rivero reveals path to Taiwan stint; opens up about Andrea Brillantes being 'the one' 

Ricci Rivero reveals path to Taiwan stint; opens up about Andrea Brillantes being 'the one' 

Published Sep 15, 2022 06:05 pm
Photo from Ricci Rivero's Instagram account

By Nikole Javier 

Ricci Rivero has revealed how the process to play in Taiwan went down and opened up about celebrity Andrea Brillantes already being “the one” five months into their relationship. 

Rivero was among the newest collegiate standouts who decided to accept an offer to play outside the country, suiting up for the Taoyuan Pilots in the P.League+ and becoming the first Filipino to see action in Taiwan as a world import. 

In an interview with talk show host Boy Abunda, the 24-year-old cager who was part of the University of the Philippines’ historic title run against the Ateneo Blue Eagles revealed that he has already been approached by a Taiwanese team prior to his transfer to UP. 

The decision to commit to the Taoyuan Pilots came as soon as his duties with the Fighting Maroons were over, stating that he “felt like playing in Taiwan.”

“After winning the championship, doon lang ulit nila sa akin nasabi na itong Taiwan, ito ulit ‘yong andyan even before or during, nangungumusta, “How’s Ricci?” Sobrang natuwa lang din ako na napaghintay ko sila for a while. Naghintay sila. This team really wants me, I guess. And ibibigay ko ‘yon sa kanila, ‘yong commitment na deserve nila,” said Rivero. 

When it came to his pro career options, Abunda asked about the situation of the basketball scene in the country that led to young players choosing to play overseas. 

“I won’t really say na there’s something bad dito sa Philippines. Siguro it’s just the opportunity. Kasi you can always go back to your roots eh. Andyan ‘yong Philippines, dito kilala ka nila.  Alam nila how you play, who you are basically kasi you grew up nakikita ka nila, scouts and all the coaches. But having that kind of opportunity to represent your country and yourself to grow siguro as a person din,” added Rivero. 

Despite the pay being better, the 6-foot-1 is hoping to survive living alone in Taiwan for the duration of the P.League+ 2022-2023 season. 

After his public proposal to now girlfriend Brillantes, Rivero wasn’t hesitant to say that he thinks the young actress is already the one for him and mentioned wanting a “happy and stable family” in his long-term goals. 

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andrea brillantes Ricci Rivero uaap basketball
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