La Salle’s Ricci Rivero was again a spark off the bench in the Green Archers’ win over the NU Bulldogs. Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
La Salle was put to its biggest test yet this young UAAP season as a motivated National University threw everything but the kitchen sink on Sunday.
Placed in an unfamiliar position trailing by as much as nine points in the third quarter, Green Archers coach Aldin Ayo was forced to reach deep in his bag of tricks.
Fortunately for him, rookie Ricci Rivero provided the spark his team needed to overhaul the deficit.
“Siguro yung willingness ko lang na manalo, yun lang talaga,” he said.
Rivero paired up with usual suspects Jeron Teng and Ben Mbala in the second half as La Salle gutted out a 75-66 victory to stay as the only unbeaten team this UAAP Season 79.
READ: La Salle rallies to beat NU for 4-0 record
The 18-year-old guard acknowledges that his role with the team isn’t about scoring, but providing energy.
“Hindi naman ako gagamitin ni coach para umsikor kasi marami naman kaming scorers,” he said. “Kailangan ko mag-step up sa defense. Playing off the bench, kailangan talaga ready lang ako.”
Boasting a loaded roster, the Green Archers are averaging 33.7 bench points prior to this game.
And in this victory over NU, that bench mob was once again in full display as La Salle got 46 points led by Teng and Rivero.
But Ayo still remains unsatisfied, as he believes that it shouldn’t just be the case for Rivero, but rather, for the whole team.
“All of them should deliver, even the third group. Kung makikita nyo sa practice namin, lahat pinapagawa namin,” he said. “The 15 guys here, they have equal opportunities. They compete during the practice. Kung sino makakatulong during the game, sila yung papasok.”
“We make sure all of the 15 guys are ready. Alam niyo naman kung anong mga players mayroon ako,” he said.