In playing in a do-or-die game, every player inside the court tends to do everything they can to get that ball and score.

When La Salle’s rising star, Ricci Rivero got his fourth foul in the middle of the second quarter, he wasn’t able to control his emotions and cried, thinking that he will not be able to play the rest of the most crucial game of DLSU this season.

As he walked back to the bench, the coaches and players, especially his older brother Prince reminded calm down and to remember to just play it loose and relax.

“Siguro yung willingness to win and yung hype ng Ateneo-La Salle, tapos finals siya and game two. Nandun talaga yung Gigil,” Ricci stated.

Rivero did not disappoint as he came out as a different man when Coach Aldin putted him in during the third quarter.

He brought out the best in his team as he acted like he was not on the verge of fouling out and contributed 12 markers in the second half with a total of 18 points for the entire game, 6 points coming from the first half.

“The whole time na nasa bench ako, I was praying lang. Parang Siya yung gumawa ng turning point para Manalo kami and makatulong ako. Yung second half siguro it wasn’t me who played. It was God,” said Rivero.