CONTROVERSIAL collegiate player Ricci Rivero will suit up for the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons in the Passi Invitational Inter-collegiate Basketball Tournament starting July 11 at the Passi Arena in Passi City, Iloilo.
Rivero was a last-minute addition to Maroons’ lineup in the tournament that will also feature Far Eastern University Tamaraws, National University Bulldogs and University of Cebu Webmasters, Ilonggo sportsman Rodolfo Villaruz said.
Rivero was initially not included in the roster for the pocket tournament since he will not be eligible to suit up for Fighting Maroons in the UAAP Season 81 men’s basketball, which starts in September.
He made a well-publicized move to Maroons recently after being dropped by De La Salle University Green Archers along with brother Rashleigh and Brent Paraiso, who is now with University of Santo Tomas Growling Tigers.
This will just be the second time that Rivero, a Gilas Pilipinas Cadet, will play in Maroons uniform after his stint for the school in the Milcu Got Skills Basketball Tournament.
Ricci will join Antiqueño Felixberto Jaboneta IV, Bacolodnon Jose Longa, Jun Manzo, Diego Dario, Juan Gomez de Liaño, Andres Desiderio, Frederick Tungcab Jr., Javier Gomez de Liaño, Bright Akhuetie, Jerson Prado, Will Gozum, and Angelo Vito in Maroons lineup for the Passi games.
The four-day pocket tournament is a partnership between Villaruz and the local government of Passi City. Along with the games is a free basketball clinic for children in Passi./PN
