Rich Alvarez
From Hoopedia
Richard "Rich" Alvarez (born October 30, 1980 in Yokosuka, Japan) is a 6 ft 4 (1. 93 m) and 200 lb (91 kg) power forward who is a Filipino professional basketball player currently playing with the Red Bull Barako of the Philippine Basketball Association. Alvarez was the first overall pick of 2004 PBA Draft by the Shell Turbo Chargers. Alvarez played College Ball at the Ateneo de Manila University, helping his Blue Eagles win the 2002 UAAP Men's Basketball Championship.
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PBA career
Shell Turbo Chargers
Rich's played his first ever PBA game on the team's second game after former coach John Moran benched him in the first game. He thought that Rich was not yet ready to play, but after Leo Austria came, his game status went up and won the Rookie of the Year honors at season's end.
Alaska Aces
After Shell was forced to leave the PBA, most of the players, including Alvarez. were traded to other teams. Coach Tim Cone is big fan of Rudy Hatfield and he feels this former Ateneo stalwart has the qualities of the Coke forward. That's why when opportunity knocked for the services of the 6'4" hardworker, Alaska wasted no time in enlisting him in a trade with Shell. Alvarez was adjudged the Rookie of the Year last season as he averaged 8.8 points and 6.4 rebounds in 72 games. His tenacious board work is very commendable and he has also shown great touch from behind the three-point arc. His 33.1 percent clip in the 3-point zone was No. 10 in the league and was the only big man in the top ten.Along with Tony Dela Cruz, Alvarez were traded to the Alaska Aces for Rob Duat. Alvarez struggled in his only appearance with the team during the 2005-06 PBA Fiesta Conference.
Red Bull Barako
Before the 2006 PBA Philippine Cup began, Rich was traded to the Red Bull Barako in exchange for two 1st round picks, reuniting him with some of his former teammates in college.
Teams played
- Kinnick High School
- Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles
- Hapee/Nenaco
- Pioneer Insurance
- Hapee/FASH
- Team Philippines - 2003 SEA Games
- Shell Turbo Chargers
- Alaska Aces (PBA)
- Red Bull Barako
Awards
- Defensive Player of the Year (UAAP) - 2000
- 4-Time UAAP Mythical Five Member
- 2-Time UAAP MVP (2000, 2001)
- UAAP Champion (2002)
- PBL Champion
- SEA Games Gold medalist (2003)
- PBA Rookie of the Year (2004-05)
Personal life
Rich is currently has relationship with RNB princess Kyla. The two met when Rich watched one of her concerts. He asked for her autograph and the two became close friends until a relationship between them began.
Prior to Kyla, Rich was going steady with Alexi Alunan, a daughter of former Interior Secretary Rafael Alunan.
