Forthsky Padrigao has risen to the occasion for University of Santo Tomas, delivering when it mattered most to close out the first round of the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Tournament.
After averaging just 8.33 points on 18-of-49 shooting (30.51%) over the first six games, Padrigao put up a stellar double-double performance on the last day of Round 1.
He tallied 14 points on 5-of-10 shooting along with 11 assists in the Growling Tigers’ 83-72 victory over the Far Eastern University Tamaraws.
As FEU trimmed UST’s lead to five, 70-75, with 1:57 left, the 23-year-old point guard from Zamboanga City took charge, dishing out timely assists.
A layup by Nic Cabanero and back-to-back baskets from Malian center Mo Tounkara sealed the game for UST, pushing their lead to 81-70 and snapping a two-game losing streak.
“I think yun yung key talaga sa game namin, kasi I think the past two games, our assist and turnover rate, masyadong mataas eh. Kumbaga we needed to make some adjustments. We are at our best ‘pag we’re sharing the ball, so yun lang ang ginawa rin namin today, and thankfully, nagbunga sa panalo,” Padrigao reflected.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
He also emphasized the importance of collective leadership, saying, “At the end of the day collective effort pa rin ang pagli-lead e. Apat kami diyan – ako, si Migs (Pangilinan), si Christian (Pangilinan), at si Nic.
“Tinutulungan din nila ako sa ibang aspects kung saan sila pwedeng makatulong. But then, masaya lang ako na nagagawa ko yung role na dapat kong gawin.”
UST assistant coach Japs Cuan, who spoke for head coach Pido Jarencio after the latter “lost his voice” during the game, praised Padrigao’s leadership.
Not only did Padrigao guide the team throughout the first round, but he also stepped up during FEU’s late-game rally in the second half.
For the game, Padrigao’s impact extended beyond his leadership, as he either scored or assisted on 39 of UST’s 83 points, showcasing his all-around game.
“Credit din kay Forthsky kasi ginagather niya yung team eh. Especially ang problem kasi namin for the past two games is after second half, yung third quarter namin, doon kami medyo nagaalangan. So kanina, even if nakakahabol yung FEU, positive lang yung team and nagtulong-tulong,” Cuan noted.
