Updated Oct. 1, 2023, 2:58 p.m.
AFTER facing several controversies during his tenure with the Ateneo Blue Eagles, Forthsky Padrigao is joining the UST Growling Tigers in what head coach Pido Jarencio has called the start of a redemption story.
The news of Padrigao’s transfer only broke on Saturday, Sept. 30, but he has already commenced training with UST and has participated in scrimmages against the UAAP Season 86 roster.
Padrigao, who encountered numerous issues and controversies during his first two seasons in the UAAP, will have an opportunity for a “second chance” to redeem himself at UST under the guidance of Jarencio.
“Makakatulong siya sa basketball program natin,” Jarencio told the Varsitarian. “Kung meron siyang issues dati, ito ang makakapag-redeem sa kaniya. Itong paglipat niya sa UST will give him a second chance.”
The 21-year-old point guard was the runner-up in the Season 85 MVP race, averaging 11.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 2.4 steals per game. He also helped Ateneo bag its fourth men’s basketball title in five UAAP seasons.
After being declared ineligible for Season 86 due to not meeting the required Quality Point Index (QPI) for student-athletes, Padrigao departed from Ateneo in late July due to “irreparable circumstances” that prevented him from returning to Katipunan.
“Masaya kami na nandito siya. Hindi natin puwede sabihin na this is the right school for him, pero kami masaya kami, at siya rin masaya siya pumunta dito,” Jarencio said.
The UST head coach said the team had discussions with Padrigao regarding his past issues before he made a full commitment to join the Growling Tigers.
“Nakausap na namin ‘yan, wala namang problema yung bata,” Jarencio said. “Lahat tayo na naging bata, nagkaroon tayo one way or another ng maling ginawa na lalo pang nagpa-mature sa atin, na para ma-experience natin at hindi na natin gawin ulit kung ano man ‘yon.”
Padrigao is set to spend his last two years of playing eligibility in the Tigers’ lair, starting in Season 87 next year. Ernest Martin G. Tuazon
