Rich Alvarez
| Air 21 Express | |
|---|---|
| Position | Small Forward/Power Forward |
| Personal information | |
| Nationality | Philippines |
| Listed height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
| Listed weight | 210 lb (95 kg) |
| Career information | |
| College | Ateneo de Manila University |
| NBA draft | 1st overall,: undrafted |
| Playing career | 2004–present |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Richard D. Alvarez (born October 30, 1980 in Yokosuka, Japan), better known simply as Rich Alvarez, is a Filipino professional basketball player currently playing for the Air 21 Express of the Philippine Basketball Association. Alvarez was the first overall pick of 2004 PBA Draft by the Shell Turbo Chargers.[1] Alvarez played College ball at the Ateneo de Manila University, helping his Blue Eagles win the 2002 UAAP Men's Basketball Championship.
PBA career
Shell Turbo Chargers
Rich 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,[2][3] but after Leo Austria came, his game status went up and won the Rookie of the Year honors at season's end.[4]
Teams played
- Nile C. Kinnick High School
- Ateneo de Manila Blue Eagles
- Pioneer Insurance
- Hapee-Nenaco-Ateneo/Fash
- Team Philippines - 2003 SEA Games
- Shell Turbo Chargers
- Alaska Aces
- Red Bull Barako
- Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants
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
 | This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (February 2010) |
Rich is currently in a relationship with "Philippine's R&B princess", Kyla. The two met when Rich watched one of her concerts. Rich then asked her for an autograph. The two became close friends and eventually started dating.
References
- ^ Beltran, Nelson (January 17, 2004). "Charges make Alvarez No. 1 draft pick". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 9, 2009.
- ^ Cordero, Abac and Beltran, Nelson (February 24, 2004). "Alvarez missed in action". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 9, 2009.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Henson, Joaquin (March 2, 2004). "What's Moran up to?". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 9, 2009.
- ^ Beltran, Nelson (July 9, 2005). "SMB closes in on PBA crown". The Philippine Star. Retrieved December 9, 2009.