Ricci Rivero and Andrea Brillantes. Image: Instagram/@ricciiirivero
Andrea Bautista had tried to reconcile with Ricci Rivero after deciding to end their relationship in May, even going so far as to drop by his condominium unit to convince him to get back together, the basketball player said.
In a message he sent to DJ Jhai Ho of the online entertainment show Marites University, Rivero reiterated that Leren Mae Bautista was not a third party who caused his breakup with Brillantes, as the two of them were already over before the beauty queen-politician came into the picture.
Rivero was compelled to respond following a report that Brillantes’ close friend and “Kadenang Ginto” co-star Bea Borres was threatening to sue him for cyber -libel after a skirmish on social media recently.
The baller said that he and Brillantes have broken up and made up several times this year, but in May, he decided to no longer get back with her for good. Despite her pleas, Rivero said that he has made up his mind to end their relationship.
“Nakilala ko si Leren May 26, Jai. And alam nilang mag bestfriend (Borres and Brillantes) na wala na kami that time. We broke up a couple times na early this year kaya magulo na talaga. Nakikipagbalikan siya and nung last time na, May 6, sinabi niya na wala na, end na (of the relationship) because of the girl na alam naman niya na kasama ng friend ko yun na pumunta doon so paanong overlap doon?” Rivero told Jhai Ho, apparently referring to the woman that Brillantes claimed to have seen naked inside his condo.
“Hindi naman ako nagsasalita nung mga nakakasama at kausap din silang iba sa bars. Pumupunta siya (Brillantes) ng condo ko ng madaling araw ilang beses for what? Para makipagbalikan. Nag yes ba ako? Hindi. Kasi ayoko na and sinabi ko yan sa kanya paulit-ulit. So I am the bad person here for not publicly telling everyone that I am single?” he further said.
Rivero’s disclosure was to dispel notions that he and Brillantes were still together when Bautista came into the picture. He recently formally announced their relationship after they were photographed getting cozy together in several instances.
“Hindi third party si Leren, alam nila yan. Huwag silang pa-clickbait para makuha ang simpatya ng tao at sirain kami… Mag mo-move on kami nang maayos nang walang nasasaktan dahil hindi na ako papayag na may madamay pang iba para lang sa good publicity nila,” he said.