Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Ricci Rivero’s departure from La Salle on Thursday has naturally sparked speculations on where he will end up next.
It’s not surprising that rumors point to a reunion with former Green Archers coach Aldin Ayo at University of Santo Tomas.
Ayo, however, said he hasn’t communicated with his former player in any way and denied any knowledge of Rivero’s future plans.
“We haven’t talked and I don’t know where he will go,” said Ayo in a text message to Inquirer.
Another person close to the situation said there hasn’t been a sign of Rivero in the Growling Tigers’ training, let alone in the UST campus.
Rivero’s future plans, though, are certainly piquing the interest of other teams in the UAAP.
After all, a talent like the 20-year-old is rare given his athleticism which earned him a spot in the UAAP Season 80 Mythical Team after averaging 14.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.7 steals in his sophomore year with La Salle.
Even Adamson coach Franz Pumaren said that he wouldn’t mind if Rivero decides to join the Soaring Falcons, but whether they will join the arms race is still up for discussion with school officials.
“I’ll be hypocrite if I tell you that I’m not interested. Wherever school he goes, he’ll be an asset,” said Pumaren. “We’ll discuss it with the coaches, we’ll discuss it with the management, we’ll discuss it with the school,” he said.
UP coach Bo Perasol also knows valuable a talent Rivero is, but also denied any talks of Rivero being a part of the Fighting Maroons’ future.
“I think every team would want to have a talent like Ricci in their team,” he said.
Meanwhile, NU coach Jamike Jarin said that Rivero is not on the Bulldogs’ radar, saying, “I don’t know anything on where he will go.”
Ateneo team manager Epok Quimpo has already quashed the rumors of Rivero joining the Blue Eagles before, ruling out any chances of the 6-foot-1 guard going from green to blue.
Aside from the short statement posted on his Twitter account, the Rivero camp has been mum on his next move.