Ricci Rivero is enjoying his time in the PBA All-Star in Candon City, Ilocos Sur.
CANDON CITY, ILOCOS SUR — Wherever Ricci Rivero went, fans followed.
Such was the case when the PBA turned over refurbished basketball courts to Brgy. San Isidro and Calaoa-an here Saturday morning, March 7.
Rivero was grateful for the warm reception.
“Sobrang thankful ako. Kaya nga even medyo masakit pa katawan ko sa kahapon (pumunta talaga ako dito ngayon),” he told One Sports a day after he dropped 30 points in the Rookies/Sophomores vs Juniors game.
Rivero said this was a perfect way to give back to the fans and the sport which have given him so much since he stepped into the limelight.
“It’s really something din for to give back to people kasi medyo malapit din ako sa kids ever since kasi mga younger brothers ko close din ako dun,” he said.
“Sobrang thankful ako sa fans sa Candon and everyone who came here to support us.”
As an Ilocano himself, the former UP Fighting Maroon is hopeful a future PBA player will emerge from Candon.
“I just wanna tell the kids to keep going keep working hard. Your dreams are something you can really reach,” the Isabela native said.
“Nothing is really impossible when you put in the work. Just do your best all the time and be intentional.
Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.