Focused on Gilas, Ricci Rivero says he hasn’t talked to prospective schools

MANILA, Philippines — As of the moment, Ricci Rivero is currently Philippine college basketball’s hottest commodity.

And that’s not bound to change any time soon. 

Speaking before the press during Kobe Paras’ homecoming mounted by Bounty Sports on Monday noon, Rivero revealed that he has not set his sights on a new home in the collegiate hoop scene.

"As of now, sa akin, ayaw ko kasi to talk to them,” the former De La Salle Green Archer said of other schools’ offers for his services. “Not really ‘ayaw ko,’ I just want to focus with myself sa Gilas.

"As of now, OK naman ako to any universities pero looking forward to seeing a university which is yung magfifit ako sa system. Kasi kahit gusto ko dito sa school na ito, if hindi naman ako magfifit sa system, if mayroon na silang players na yung nasa position ko, parang hindi rin magmamatter,” he added.

Rivero went on to add that his father is actually the one dealing with negotiations apropos of his next stop.

“Sabi ko lang, I don’t want to commit myself,” the younger Rivero revealed.

The high-flying cager officially made his exit from the Green Archers less than two weeks ago. 

Earlier into that decision, Rivero grappled with a myriad allegations that hovered over his leave of absence from the De La Salle basketball team. Among those was use of narcotics, which he convincingly denied via a certified drug test.

For now, like Paras, Rivero is tethering his focus on the national team where he was named part of its talent pool for a global skirmish five years from now. After all, it’s the one thing that he said motivates him the most.

"Who doesn’t want to play for the national team?” he raised.

Rivero closed the chat saying he won’t be seeing action in Season 81 as he will serve a redshirt year for residency. But hoped that in the coming months, he has made up his mind.

“Siguro by August, mayroon na,” he said.