Phoenix Fuel Masters’ Ricci Rivero during a game against TNT Tropang 5G within the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—It’s not surprising that Phoenix guard Ricci Rivero will enter the PBA Governors’ Cup with a chip on his shoulder.
In any case, he had a fairly good Commissioner’s Cup run, which his coach Charles Tiu definitely took notice.
“Ricci’s been getting there. He knows the role I even have for him and what I expect of him so I’m hoping he’ll be up for the challenge,” Tiu told the Inquirer on Saturday.
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“Obviously, I need him to be a bit more consistent. That’s a challenge for him if he really desires to be regarded as a star of this league, he needs to be that on each ends.”
Rivero carried much of the Fuel Masters’ scoring load within the previous conference, scoring in bunches when it mattered most.
Unfortunately for him and the Fuel Masters, Rivero missed the latter a part of the import-laden conference because of a finger injury.
Still, by the top of the conference, the State U product made noise by tallying a career-high 40 points in a 133-105 rout of the Terrafirma.
The one thing lacking is consistency, in keeping with Tiu.
“He’s shown flashes of what he may be but he also showed areas where he’s just okay but hopefully, he shows that he may be consistent.”
Rivero will proceed to guide the Fuel Masters’ backcourt alongside Tyler Tio with NBA journeyman BJ Johnson because the team’s import.