La Salle standout Ricci Rivero joined the Gilas Pilipinas practice for the first time on Monday at the Meralco Gym.
Rivero was supposed to be included in Gilas' "23 for 2023" contingent set to compete in the 2023 FIBA World Cup. However, he was left off the pool because La Salle didn't allow him to join because at the time their basketball program was going through a transition phase after a coaching change.
The young forward actually made an appearance in Gilas' first practice on January 8, making his intentions clear that he wanted to be part of the national team. Rivero again was inside the Meralco Gym in street clothes on January 29, the same day head coach Chot Reyes revealed he was cleared by La Salle to play and is expected to finally make his appearance this week.
Rivero made headlines last Friday for taking a leave from the La Salle basketball team, alongside his older brother Prince and Brent Paraiso.
Also in attendance on Monday were Troy Rosario, Mac Belo, Gabe Norwood, Allein Maliksi, Kiefer Ravena, Carl Bryan Cruz, Kevin Alas, June Mar Fajardo, Jayson Castro, and Japeth Aguilar. Jio Jalalon, Matthew Wright, and Roger Pogoy were present but in street clothes.
Apart from Rivero, making up the "23 for 2023" group were Juan Gomez De Liaño, Kai Sotto, J-Jay Alejandro, Kenneth Tuffin, Arvin Tolentino, Javee Mocon, Paul Desiderio, and Will Gozum. Attending his first practice was NU forward Carl Tamayo.