Ricci Rivero was once the darling of the De La Salle crowd when he donned the green-and-white from 2016 to 2018 but he has now become the bastion of jeers from his once fateful crowd. The polarizing forward, is now with University of the Philippines and it didn’t help that the Fighting Maroons stunned the Green Archers, 72-71, Wednesday in the UAAP Season 82 men’s basketball tournament.
La Sallians showered Rivero with boos but the 21-year-old wingman didn’t mind the negativity.
“No hard feelings. La Salle is really my second home. I used to play for them, I used to give everything I’ve got for them, and I’m really happy that they booed me,” said Rivero. “I took it really positive because it’s their way of supporting their team especially with me playing for the other side.”
“That’s their way of helping their team and I’m thankful they did that.”
Rivero finished with nine points and six rebounds for the Fighting Maroons who outscored the Green Archers 20-12 in the fourth quarter.
The win bumped UP’s record to 5-1, just half a game behind leader Ateneo that holds a 6-0 card, and Rivero was proud with how his team fought back.
“I’m super satisfied with what the team showed because even though we never got the lead the whole game but I kept shouting that we should be positive,” said Rivero. “This isn’t going to be easy for us, we’re up against La Salle and it will be hard for us but we can do it.”
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