Phoenix guard Ricci Rivero in action against TNT in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup, May 1, 2026 at the Araneta Coliseum. PBA Media
MANILA – Phoenix Fuel Masters guard Ricci Rivero remains focused on helping his team win, brushing off a bloody cut he suffered on his right hand on Friday.
Rivero had a stellar outing for Phoenix in their 100-97 overtime win over the TNT Tropang 5G in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner's Cup, despite having to sit out the final stretch due to the injury.
READ: Rivero, Tio come up clutch to lift Phoenix past TNT in overtime
The star guard sustained a deep wound on his right hand when he was fouled by TNT's Jayson Castro after stealing the ball from big man Bol Bol with under 20 seconds left. Phoenix staff and Rivero's parents were visibly concerned when blood was seen on his uniform and the floor.
"Actually, from this side kasi hanggang dito sa kapila na punit eh. So, yung ring and the middle finger medyo nagkiwala eh. Pero okay lang. Parang wala namang bale, hopefully," Rivero said during the post-game press conference.
The injury forced the 27-year-old to sit out the remaining 16 seconds, ending his night with a career-high 31 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
Despite the bloody cut, Rivero is still focused on helping Phoenix boost its bid to stay in the top four heading into the quarterfinals.
"Siyempre, kailangan healthy para dun sa next game kasi medyo much mean pa rin kami. Hopefully wala [dislocation] eh. Pero yung skin kasi talagang punit from the palm side to the other," he explained.
Rivero dropped 17 of his 31 points in the third quarter to put Phoenix ahead, 75-73, heading into the final frame. The 27-year-old sparked the run for the Fuel Masters in the fourth quarter with a stunning reverse layup, 90-87, before Bol Bol drained a jumper to send the game into overtime.
As Rivero could only cheer his teammates on from the sidelines, Tiu praised the star guard and the entire Phoenix squad for their grit and resilience. The Phoenix head coach is optimistic they are building a culture within the team that will hopefully translate to more wins.
"We knew we were heavy underdogs [against TNT]. But we had a film session. I think the coaches were also, not just me, my staff were able to light a fire on the guys. We called out whoever was performing well. We said, kahit naman walang import, we just wanted to battle. But the way we played there didn't look too good," Tiu said.
"Guys were angry at practice. Ricci wasn't happy the last two practices. And I like to see that. You want guys that are competitive. And I think he didn't say much, but his game did the talking today. And it's a big performance. And now we're just looking for consistency," Tiu added.
Rivero and the rest of the Fuel Masters return to action on Wednesday against the Macau Black Knights at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
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