Ricci Rivero

Biography

Ricci Paolo Uy Rivero (; born May 25, 1998) is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA). Rivero played for the De La Salle Green Archers in his first two years in collegiate basketball. His breakout performance in the UAAP Season 80 men's basketball tournament earned him a spot in the Mythical Five and the Most Improved Player award. In April 2018, Rivero announced that he had left the De La Salle Green Archers to focus on Gilas Pilipinas. In May 2018, it was revealed that Rivero had transferred to be part of the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons. Rivero suited up in UP starting season 82 of the UAAP. He is also an actor who first featured in the MMFF film Otlum.

== Early life == Rivero was born and raised in Ilagan, Isabela to Ruzcko Rivero and Abigail Uy-Rivero. He is of Chinese descent through his mother. He moved to Manila to complete his secondary education at La Salle Green Hills in Mandaluyong. In 2015, his final year of high school, he averaged 25.4 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.4 steals, and 1.9 blocks in the elimination round for the Greenies, but lost to the Arellano Braves in the first round of the playoffs. In 2016, Rivero joined the De La Salle Green Archers.

== College career ==

=== De La Salle Green Archers === In 2016, his rookie season, the Archers won the championship. In 2017, his sophomore season, Rivero averaged 14.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists, and 1.7 steals. He led the Archers to the Finals, and earned Mythical Team Honors. He also won the Most Improved Player award. However, in January 2018, he was cut from the squad along with older brother Prince and reserve Brent Paraiso. The school said his suspension from the team was due to his endorsement deals, which are in conflict with a team rule. Later, in April, he announced on Twitter that he would exit the team.

=== UP Fighting Maroons === In May 2018, Rivero announced on Twitter that he would be joining the UP Fighting Maroons. He redshirted Season 81 (2018) due to UAAP's eligibility rules. In Season 82, the Maroons made it to the semifinals where they lost to the UST Growling Tigers. He played for UP in Season 84, despite getting offers to play overseas in Japan. They won the championship that season.

== Professional career == On June 24, 2022, Rivero signed with the Taoyuan Pilots of the P. League+. However, he was released before the season started due to an ankle injury. On February 15, 2023, Rivero signed a short-term deal with the Blackwater Bossing Red President of the PBA 3x3. In September 2023, Rivero made a bid to enter the Philippine Basketball Association by applying for the PBA season 48 draft, where he was selected with the 17th overall pick by the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters. On October 2, he signed a two-year rookie contract with the team.

== PBA career statistics ==

As of the end of 2024–25 season