Ricci Rivero joins a PBA 3×3 Blackwater Bossing Red President. –VIRTUAL PLAYGROUND PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Ricci Rivero is beefing up Blackwater Bossing Red President in the third conference of the PBA 3×3.
Virtual Playground, Rivero’s management, on Wednesday bared that the University of the Philippines standout is taking his talents to Blackwater’s 3×3 team since his aborted Taiwan plans.
It will be Rivero’s return to a competitive basketball tournament in the country since his plans to play for the Taoyuan Pilots in the P.League+ didn’t push through after the team released him prior to the season opener due to injury issues.
Rivero, arguably one of the tournament’s biggest signings, is expected to make his PBA 3×3 debut in Leg 6 this weekend at Robinsons’ Malate.
The 24-year-old winger is teaming up with his brother, Prince Rivero, and joining the Blackwater pool of players Hubert Cani, Alfrancis Tamsi, and Jeff Javillonar.
Rivero is no stranger to the 3×3 tournament as he started playing for UP in the UAAP Season 82 men’s 3×3 in 2019 and campaigned for the national 3×3 youth team in the 2015 U18 World Championship with Kobe Paras, Mike Nieto, and Richard Escoto, and Mike Nieto.
He also saw action in the 2018 FIBA 3×3 U23 World Cup with RJ Abarrientos, Rhayyan Amsali, and Jeepy Faundo. He teamed up anew with Abarrientos, Amsali along with Barkley Ebona in the 3×3 Asia Cup the following year, finishing 16th place.
Blackwater is currently in 10th place with 141 points, needing to reach the top 8 to play in the Grand Finals.