Ricci Rivero denies Leren Mae Bautista was cause of breakup with Andrea Brillantes

Ricci Rivero shut down speculations that former beauty queen Leren Mae Bautista was the cause of his breakup with actress Andrea Brillantes.

On Monday's episode of "Fast Talk With Boy Abunda," Ricci said he does not have any romantic involvement with Leren, who is now serving as a councilor in Los Baños, Laguna.

Ricci and the former beauty queen were photographed doing an outreach program together, which led to rumors that Leren was the third-party in his relationship with Andrea.

"Tito Boy, wala pong kinalaman dito si Councilor Leren," Ricci said. 

The basketball star said the outreach was part of his birthday celebration, which he does every year since he was in college.

At that time, the public was not aware that Ricci and Andrea have already separated, leading to cheating accusations from fans.

"Walang kadeny-deny dun sa picture," he said. "Pag-post niya po kasi sobrang daming bash agad and hate messages, so siguro 'yung fear na ma-misinterpret ng tao dahil di naman po out 'yung breakup namin kaya she took the story down."

Ricci also said he is not courting Leren and he doesn't have any kind of relationship with her.

Leren's office previously issued a statement addressing the rumors of her involvement with Ricci, saying that the claims were "entirely false and have no basis in reality."

Ricci announced his breakup with Andrea in a statement on Twitter, asking fans to respect their decision to keep the split private.

—MGP, GMA Integrated News