Rivero-led PH opens bid in Fiba 3×3 U23 World Cup vs Slovenia

PH 3×3 team. SBP PHOTO

Ricci Rivero, one of the country’s brightest young stars, is set to make his return in the international 3-on-3 scene as he banners the Philippine team bound for the Fiba 3×3 U23 World Cup in Xi’an, China beginning Wednesday.

Rivero is teaming up with Jeepy Faundo, the former University of Santo Tomas slotman, and high school standouts RJ Abarrientos of Far Eastern University and Rhayyan Amsali of San Beda.

The Philippines, which is in a stacked Pool C, opens its bid with back-to-back games against Slovenia and top-ranked Serbia on Wednesday night.

The PH team then, battles Turkmenistan and China on Friday night.

“We are the lowest-ranked team in the tournament but we want to compete with the best in the world,” said head coach Ronnie Magsanoc.

Only the top two teams in each group advance to the quartefinals.

Rivero, who transferred to University of the Philippines four months ago after playing his first two years for La Salle, first suited up for the Philippines in the Fiba 3×3 U18 World Cup held in Hungary in 2015.