University of Santo Tomas has made notable strides throughout UAAP Season 87 so far.
However, its lopsided 67-88 loss to De La Salle University on Sunday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum highlighted how much further it needs to go before becoming a legitimate championship contender for the first time since Season 82.
Forthsky Padrigao, who contributed 15 points and five assists against the Green Archers, acknowledged the setback. He also emphasized that the Growling Tigers need to regroup after the defending champions brought them back down to earth.
“Talagang malayo pa kami sa gusto naming mapuntahan sa goal namin, kasi championship team ang La Salle, and then, you know, tinambakan kami ng 21. But then hindi pa rin namin napapanood yung film para malaman kung saang pwedeng areas to improve,” said the Season 85 Mythical Five awardee.
“Pero yung sa akin lang talaga, kailangan pa namin doblehin yung ginagawa namin right now kasi with what we’re doing right now, natatalo pa rin kami sa top teams. Balik lang kami sa training namin and then focus lang kami sa kung anong dapat naming gawin.”
UST’s roster and coaching staff have seen significant changes this season, with the addition of players like Padrigao, Geremy Robinson, Ice Danting, and new coaches Juno Sauler and Peter Martin.
These moves have helped the Growling Tigers to a respectable 3-2 record.
However, Padrigao admitted that the defeat revealed that the team still has a lot to work on, particularly in terms of on-court chemistry.
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
“I think yung chemistry pa rin namin as a team. We know La Salle, talagang buo na silang team eh,” the heady 6-foot-1 floor general explained.
“Kumbaga, last year they were champions — marami nang pinagdaanan yung team na yan. Kami, nagsisimula pa lang. I think it’s part of our growing pains na makukuha namin all throughout this season. Tatanggapin lang namin yung talo na ito and then focus on the next.”
UST’s next challenge is a crucial match against the unbeaten University of the Philippines, which leads the standings with a 5-0 record.
The Growling Tigers face a daunting task as the Fighting Maroons have been dominant, winning their games with an average margin of 15.2 points.
UST hasn’t beaten UP since Renzo Subido’s game-winning three-pointer in their Final Four showdown in Season 82.
For Padrigao, however, the focus is on the bigger picture, as UST continues to rebuild.
“We really have to focus on UP right now kasi yung loss na ‘to, part lang siya ng bigger picture that we have this week because we have three games this week. Nood lang kami ng film. Tignan namin kung ano yung pwede namin makuha and then kailangan namin mag-focus agad sa UP.”
