Rivero released by Taiwan club before season starts

MANILA, Philippines — Two-time UAAP champion Ricci Rivero has been waived by the Taoyuan Pilots of P.League+ after a mutual contract termination announced on Friday.

In a statement by the club, Rivero was released due to an unspecified injury just a week before the Pilots' season begins on November 12.

"GM Sean Chen said it was a hard decision. He considers Ricci a very skilled player with a great attitude. However, due to his injury, Ricci wouldn’t be able to compete at his best level for the upcoming regular season games," said the release.

"Ricci joined the team in September. His past injury [made] him unable to show his best performance during training and preseason games. Wishing you the best Ricci! Good luck."

Rivero saw limited action in the preseason, playing only one game for the Pilots.

The 24-year-old is coming off a fitting end to his collegiate career when he helped the UP Fighting Maroons clinch their first UAAP title since 1986 at the expense of the Ateneo Blue Eagles.

He also won a championship with the DLSU Green Archers in 2016 before transferring to UP.

In the UAAP Season 84, Rivero normed 13.1 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.3 steals per game in the elimination round.