Rich Alvarez

Infobox NBA Player
name = Richard Alvarez
nickname = Sakuragi


height_ft = 6 | height_in = 5 | weight_lbs= 210
league = Philippine Basketball Association
position = Small Forward/Shooting Guard
team = Red Bull Barako
number = 32
nationality = Philippines
birth_date = Birth date and age|1980|10|30|mf=y
birth_place = Yokosuka, Japan
college = Ateneo de Manila University
draft = 1st overall
draft_year = 2004
draft_team = Shell Turbo Chargers
draft_league = PBA Draft
career_start = 2004
career_end =
awards = Rookie of the Year (2004-2005), PBA Mr. Quality Minutes (2005), PBL Mythical Second Team (2003), PBL Mythical First Team (2002), UAAP Most Valuable Player: 2001

Richard D. Alvarez (born October 30, 1980 in Yokosuka, Japan), better known simply as Rich Alvarez, 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.

PBA career

hell 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.

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

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 concert, it all started when Rich asked for her autograph then 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.

External links

* [http://www.pba.ph/component/option,com_comprofiler/task,userProfile/user,33089/ PBA.ph: Rich Alvarez Player Profile]