PHOENIX Fuel Masters star Ricci Rivero is excited to have his homecoming in Ilagan City, Isabela, as the PBA holds its first official out-of-town game in the Corn Capital of the Philippines this conference.
The date of the match which pits the Fuel Masters against the San Miguel Beermen is still being finalized, but the city government of Ilagan has already confirmed its hosting of the PBA game.
Last year, Ilagan City staged a preseason out-of-town game between the Meralco Bolts and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. But this is the first time that the PBA will hold an official game in the province of Isabela in two decades.
The last official league game in the province was held on Oct. 26, 2006, at the Josefina Albano Sports Center in Cabagan featuring Barangay Ginebra and Coca-Cola.
Ilagueños await to see Rivero back in action.
“He was my teammate during provincial meets, back when we were in elementary,” said Jeao Diaz, president and chief executive officer of Sagittarian Agricultural Philippines Inc. and also the regional governor for North Luzon in the Philippine Chamber of Commerce.
The amiable son of Mayor Jay Diaz is also the team owner of the Ilagan Isabela Cowboys, who will also have their first official MPBL game this season on Aug. 8 against Meycauayan to be held at the Capital Arena.
Before he turned pro, Rivero made his mark as one of the city’s biggest basketball stars. He used to shine in inter-town tournaments before he brought his wares in Metro Manila, playing for La Salle Greenhills and becoming a two-time UAAP champion as a member of the La Salle Green Archers (2016) and the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons (2022).
Jeao recalled the times he and his brothers, Ilagan City Vice Mayor Jayve and provincial board member EJay, used to play with Ricci in pickup games along with Rivero’s two brothers, Rasheed and Prince.
“We used to play together in Ilagan. In elementary, we represented Ilagan, the meet before the Cagayan Valley Regional Association where players which will represent Isabela are getting selected for the Cavraa,” said Diaz.
When Ricci makes his return in Ilagan, expect the Diaz family and the rest of the Ilagueños to extend a very warm welcome to the city’s brightest star who made his way to the big-time basketball scene.
There was a time when Ricci, then a collegiate player, was being considered to be included in the Philippine men’s basketball team coached before by Yeng Guiao in preparation for the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta.
Jeao is proud of his boyhood friend’s accomplishment, and once he makes his return to the city, expect Ricci to be given a hero’s welcome by the sport-loving folks of Ilagan.
“I’m sure, our fellow Ilagueños are so proud of what Ricci has accomplished,” said Jeao. “We regularly get in touch with him, and we’re excited that he is set to return here now as one of the young stars in the PBA.”
Rivero is averaging 11.20 points, 5.60 rebounds and 4.80 assists per game in the PBA. He is one of the league’s best all-around players and was one of the reasons why Phoenix has put itself in solid contention to make a playoff run.
The Fuel Masters currently lead the team standings of Group B with a 4-1 win-loss record under new coach Charles Tiu in the ongoing PBA Governors’ Cup.
