In less than just 20 minutes, UAAP Mythical 5 awardee and De La Salle Green Archer Ricci Rivero committed his fourth foul in Game 2 of the finals series against rival Ateneo Blue Eagles, forcing coach Aldin Ayo to sit him on the bench.

A frustrated Rivero headed to the sidelines in tears as his team was being pummeled by Ateneo in the first half, where the Green Archers fell by as many as 21 points.

"I was crying kasi alam mo iyong feeling na gusto mo tumulong pero 'di ako makatulong kasi nasa bench ako," Rivero said.

But that rest helped Rivero regain his momentum as he had time to meditate and pray before returning to the court.

Rivero finished with 18 points, 12 of which came in the second half, despite being in foul trouble.

"Iyong sa second half it wasn't me who played. It was God kasi the whole time na nasa bench ako I was praying lang," Rivero said. "I offered everything to God. Sabi ko, kung anuman mangyari sa second half, negative man o positive, ite-take ko siya as postive."

Rivero alongside MVP Ben Mbala and Andrei Caracut anchored the Green Archers' second half surge en route to a 92-83 victory to force a winner-take-all match on Sunday.

The Green Archer also acknowledged that he was too aggressive at the start of the game, citing the hype and excitement surrounding the series.

"Minsan lang ako maka-finals [kaya sobra] 'yung willingess ko to win at sobrang hyped ng Ateneo-La Salle. Finals pa siya at Game 2," the younger Rivero told reporters. "Hindi pa ako used sa ganitong sitwasyon."

Rivero bared his older brother Prince reminded him how far he was from his usual self inside the court during the first half. His teammates also kept on telling him to relax.

"Sinabi lang ng brother ko na that wasn't me at kailangan mag-laro ako ng relax at hindi 'yung gigil," said Rivero. "Sabi ni kuya, 'Ilabas mo lahat 'yung negativity tapos offer everything to Papa Jesus. Siya na gagawa ng way.'"

Meanwhile, Rivero shrugged off social media criticism that he was receiving.

"Sinabi sa amin ng coaches na this final stretch bawasan namin ang social media. Lahat ng sinasabi ng coaches ko pinipilit ko masunod," he said. "Kung may sinasabi man sila o haters, smile na lang."

(For more sports coverage, visit the ABS-CBN Sports website.)