Forthsky Padrigao pulled out all the stops to ignite University of Santo Tomas’ fourth-quarter surge, leading them to a highly anticipated victory over his former school, Ateneo de Manila University.
Padrigao’s departure from Ateneo was one of the most controversial in recent memory.
At 22, he chose to focus on leading a revamped Growling Tigers squad. The aim was to end a 17-game losing streak against the Blue Eagles that had stretched back to September 26, 2015.
Following UST’s historic win, Padrigao was clear about one thing: the Growling Tigers have the potential to compete with the UAAP’s top teams.
However, they can’t do it without supporting each other as teammates.
Padrigao’s nine assists facilitated the scoring efforts of three UST players who reached double figures. Gelo Crisostomo and Mo Tounkara each contributed 16 points, while Nic Cabanero added 11 markers.
“Ang natutunan ko sa team sa game na ito ay kaya namin makipaglaban sa top teams. We can compete kasi tiwala rin kami sa teammates namin,” the 5-foot-11 floor general revealed.
“Kita namin sa preparations pa lang namin na naka-focus sila, kaya hindi bago sa akin na makita na mag-perform.”
(C) UAAP Season 87 Media Team
Despite his sudden exit from Ateneo following a championship, a Mythical Five award, and a second-place finish in the MVP race, Padrigao viewed the situation not as pressure but as an opportunity to prepare his new team.
He was aware of how diligently the Blue Eagles likely planned for their game against UST, given his familiarity with head coach Tab Baldwin’s rigorous game preparations.
“Wala kami idea sa mga records na consecutive losses. We just really came prepared for Ateneo kasi coming from there, I know how hard they’re prepared din,” the Zamboanga City native shared.
“Hindi rin madali talaga kalaban ang Ateneo, so yun lang ginawa namin. Talagang nag-prepare lang kami and nag-focus lang sa game plan.”
Though Padrigao has led the Growling Tigers to a 2-0 start – their best record in the last four seasons – he cautioned the Thomasian faithful to temper their expectations.
The UST community had endured years of hardship following the exodus of players in the ‘Sorsogon Bubble,’ resulting in a dismal 6-28 win-loss record from Season 84 to 86.
“I think it’s too early for me to say since two games pa lang yung nalalaro namin. Although panalo naman yung games namin, pero malayo pa kami sa realidad ‘eh. Maaga pa kasi talaga so wala pa ako nakikitang similarities.”
