Ricci Rivero bares real reasons behind breakup with Andrea Brillantes

MANILA, Philippines — Basketball player Ricci Rivero admitted that he and girlfriend Andrea Brillantes broke up last May. 

In his interview with "Fast Talk with Boy Abunda," Ricci said that there were several factors that led to the breakup. 

"Marami na rin po kaming sinusubukang ayusin na problema. Personally, hindi naman siya sa may mali kasi ganito or may kasalanan or whatsoever. Siguro doon lang sa the way we are sa isa't isa," he said. 

"Marami naman siyang puwedeng factors — could be both 'yung maturity namin pareho, puwedeng ganoon. For whatever reason lang, may inaayos kami na sa'kin normal naman po para sa relationships," he added.

Ricci said that one of the causes of their breakup were speculations that a girl was always seen in his place. 

"'Yung cause ng break up was 'yung speculations, 'yung kumakalat sa social media, 'yung may nakita siyang girl doon sa place ko. Ilang beses naman po naming pinag-usapan 'to, as in sobrang daming beses na sinabi ko sa kanya with all the evidences I have, kasi may mga conversations, even with my friends na hindi po sa'kin 'yung girl," he said. 

"May papunta akong friend ng midnight tapos hindi ko naman alam na may kasama siya tapos 'yun 'yung naabutan niya that time. Alam ko po na alam niya, na naniniwala siya sa'kin kasi even after that, nag-uusap pa rin kami, nagkikita pa rin kami, maayos kami, 'yung usual us, walang away, walang taasan ng boses, 'yung maayos na pinag-uusapan namin 'yung sa'min," he added.

He also cleared the name of beauty queen-turned-politician Leren Bautista as the alleged third party in their breakup. 

"Wala pong kinalaman si Councilor Leren. We met kasi nu'ng outreach na, 'yun 'yung May 26, birthday ko po 'yun na parang outreach kasi ginagawa ko siya every year, ever since naman nung first year college ako ginagawa ko na siya," he said.

"Galing po kasi ako ng province, doon po ako nag-celebrate ng birthday ta's nu'ng papaluwas po ako rito, may mga common friends kami na 'yung mga madalas ko pong kasama lately for the past year na sabi ko baka pwedeng makapag-feeding program tayo kasi ginagawa ko 'to palagi and wala akong magawa ngayon dahil nasa biyahe po ako sa Isabela," he added. 

Ricci also denied that he used Andrea for his personal career. 

"Marami naman pong offers 'yung ABS-CBN na sitdown interviews with her, shows with her, and simula po nu'ng naging kami, never po akong nag-yes, lahat po nag-beg off ako, kasi ayoko rin naman pong parang i-connect 'yung trabaho sa personal relationship ko," he said. 

"Sa'kin sobrang genuine ng lahat, wala sa isip ko 'yung mga ganyang bagay kasi minsan lang akong mag-girlfriend, bakit sa ganyang paraan ko pa naman gagawin, 'di b?" he added. —Video from GMA Network YouTube channel

RELATED: Ricci Rivero apologizes amid breakup rumors with Andrea Brillantes