Teen basketball star Ricci Rivero imparted helpful tips and inspirational words to the National Training Camp participants of the Jr. NBA Philippines 2018 presented by Alaska on their first training day. He was one of the Jr. NBA All-Stars in 2013.

The global youth basketball participation program of the NBA for boys and girls teaches fundamental skills and the core values of sportsmanship, teamwork, a positive attitude and respect. It is now in the process of selecting the newest All-Stars of Jr. NBA Philippines 2018 presented by Alaska.

NBA player Willie Cauley-Stein of the Sacramento Kings and WNBA Hall of Famer and 3-time MVP Sheryl Swoopes are both in Manila for the Jr. NBA Philippines program. The top eight boys and eight girls who will follow the footsteps of previous All-Stars like Rivero, Kobe Paras, Kiefer Ravena, Thirdy Ravena, Kib Montalbo, Kai Sotto and Aljon Mariano, will be announced at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, Metro Manila on May 20, 2018.

On May 18, 2018, Rivero surprised Filipino basketball fans when he took to Twitter to announce that he is joining the UP Fighting Maroons of the University of the Philippines. In January 2018, he and his brother Prince Rivero were cut from the Green Archers of the De La Salle University.

When you're down, there's no where to go but UP! ⬆️ DILIMAN here i come! 🏀🤘🏻🙏🏻 #UPFight https://t.co/iAkFzKiNIq—
Ricci Rivero (@_ricciiirivero) May 18, 2018

The UP Fighting Maroons and the Green Archers are among the eight varsity teams that annually compete at the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP). The others are the Soaring Falcons of Adamson University, the Blue Eagles of Ateneo de Manila University, the Tamaraws of Far Eastern University, the Bulldogs of National University, the Red Warriors of the University of the East and the Growling Tigers of the University of Santo Tomas.