Phoenix Fuel Masters’ Ricci Rivero in action in the PBA Philippine Cup. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Ricci Rivero was highly praised after Phoenix’s runaway win over Converge in the PBA Philippine Cup at Philsports Arena on Friday.
But it wasn’t just because of his stellar performance in the 113-107 victory.
Most of the compliments that came Rivero’s way was due to his elegance in executing the widely famous basketball move: the Euro-step.
READ: PBA: Ricci Rivero regains groove in fourth to help Phoenix win in debut
“Ricci’s great. He has one of the nicest Euro [steps] I’ve ever seen and he looks good when he’s doing it,” said Perkins after dropping a double-double of 26 points and 13 rebounds in the Phoenix win.
Assistant coach Willie Wilson also doubled down on Perkins’ statement and said, “he looks very good when he’s doing it.”
Rivero flashed his way to 17 points on an efficient 57 percent field goal shooting clip. And yes, he did several side-steps to get there, as well.
The University of the Philippines product has already scored a total of 66 points in the All-Filipino conference with a huge chunk of his production coming from his flashy move.
READ: PBA: Ricci Rivero says familiarity with coach Jamike Jarin will help at Phoenix
When Rivero heard about the high praises, the six-foot guard called it a “win-win” with how the game of basketball is evolving with the Euro-step.
“I’m thankful to hear those. We have different ways to do [the move], so I’m thankful that that’s how they see mine [Euro-step],” said a gushing Rivero.
From one innovator to another, Blackwater’s James Yap talks to Phoenix’s Ricci Rivero after the Fuel Masters’ win over Converge.
Also, does Ricci Rivero hold the best “Euro-step” in the league today? Story to follow. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/s4raJjkGuN
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) April 12, 2024
“The move is really popular not just here in the Philippines but also worldwide… it’s a win-win for us because Filipinos are being known to do that nowadays.”
Even coach Jamike Jarin, who just steered the Fuel Masters to a 2-4 record in the PBA Philippine Cup, had to give credit where credit is due, saying Rivero is up there, for sure, with Terrafirma guard Juami Tiongson, when it comes to the Euro Step.
“I’ll sound biased if I answer ’yes,’ but let me tell you, he’s up there. Well, Juami Tiongson is also good at that, everybody almost has that [Euro] but the thing with Ricci is, he’s long,” explained Jarin.
“He gets some good strides then the sudden change of direction, pace and how he does it. He’s up there,” added the coach.
‘Pinoy-step’ pioneer
FILE– Ricci Rivero during his days with La Salle in the UAAP.
But when you talk about Rivero, you can’t leave out another variation of the hop-step he made famous from way back in his La Salle days in the UAAP.
Rivero is one of the early innovators of the “Pinoy-step”–a move that’s already being used widely on an international scale.
While he acknowledged that he’s not the “original creator” of the showy move, Rivero remained proud to be one of the early users of the now-famed “Pinoy-step.”
“It’s nice to hear that a lot of people are seeing that [Pinoy-step]. Although since a lot of players are doing it, it can easily be checked now. But I’m happy seeing most of our players do that in open court runs, the blow-by, drive and the step.”
“I’m happy that I’m one oft he firsts—of course, I’m not the first— to start [the Pinoy step] so that makes me proud of everyone.”
Rivero wowed the crowd with one of those innovative buckets when Phoenix faltered to Ginebra early in the conference and it seems as though the former Fighting Maroon is still catching attention with his playing style.
The Ilagan-native is currently hopping his way to averages of 9.8 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.8 assists per game with Phoenix.