Forthsky Padrigao exits UAAP without regrets
Alta Sports4 months ago ยท 98 views
Photo: UAAP
By Cyreel Zarate
In what would be his final UAAP game against the University of the Philippines on Wednesday, Forthsky Padrigao gave his all in the Final Four for the University of Santo Tomas—the school that had given his basketball career a second life.
The shifty point guard finished with just six points on 3-of-13 shooting from the field, but he sparked hope late in the game, scoring four straight points to give the Growling Tigers a two-point lead with 1:38 remaining, 81-79.
"I'm just really trying to be in the moment. Trying to make the right reads and the right plays at that time," said Padrigao.
"So, I think I'm just trying to make the right plays every time. And, you know, it just so happened that in those last minutes, I was able to make those shots."
However, Padrigao’s late heroics were undone when UP’s Terrence Fortea drained a game-winning triple with about 45 seconds left, ending UST’s campaign at the Araneta Coliseum.
Still, he has no regrets about the outcome, knowing he "left it all on the floor" for the university that had welcomed him with open arms.
"I think we left it all earlier on the floor," Padrigao stressed.
"Me, my teammates, our coaches, everyone who helped us prepare for this game, for this season. You know, that’s really how life is, I mean, how the game is. You win some, you lose some. You just gotta accept it. I think I gave it my all. And that's all I can do."
Padrigao spent two years with Ateneo before being released in 2023, eventually finding himself at UST. Since then, he has grown into a mature and confident floor general for Pido Jarencio’s side, helping the team secure back-to-back Final Four appearances.
Looking back, he has nothing but gratitude for the Thomasian community and will cherish his stint at UST.
"I think I’ve been really thankful through it all—my experience in my UAAP career. I’m grateful to UST, to the whole UST community, my coaches, my teammates. And, you know, I’m just happy. I’m thankful for everything," Padrigao shared.
"Not everyone gets a second chance in life, yet Padrigao seized that opportunity and made the most out of it."
—JMS, Alta Sports
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DR
buti inampon pa to ng UST4 months agoReply
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College Hoop
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Illidan
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