UST guard Forthsky Padrigao during a game against Ateneo in UAAP Seaosn 87 at UST’s Quadricentennial Pavilion.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Forthsky Padrigao lamented failing to give University of Santo Tomas a historic home win on Saturday.
Padrigao, though, remains confident that the Growling Tigers will regain their form with four games left in their bid to return to the Final Four in the UAAP Season 87 men’s basketball tournament.
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Padrigao and the Growling Tigers committed crucial errors down the stretch anew as they absorbed a 67-64 loss to Ateneo on Saturday at the school’s Quadricentennial Pavilion.
READ: UAAP: Ateneo gets streak going with win on UST home turf
Forthsky Padrigao on losing at home. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/JjqixFJdUn
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“Grabe wala akong masabi sa UST crowd. Ramdam na ramdam namin yung effort nila sa pagccheer talagang naririnig namin sila. Yun lang hindi namin nasuklian ng panalo yung suporta nila sa amin,” said Padrigao, who had eight points, five assists, and three rebounds.
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After a 3-1 start, UST has lost five of its last six games including three in a row to begin the second round. Padrigao feels the Tigers are now in a must-win situation as they seek a Final Four spot.
“Hopefully, yung mga upcoming games namin masuklian namin yung effort na binibigay nila sa amin,” said Padrigao as his former school Ateneo bounced back from their first round collision.
“We really needed this win, this game but then hindi namin nakuha, trinabaho din naman ng teammates ko lahat naman kami nagambag ambag. I think our efforts weren’t enough… Ateneo played well, too. Gotta credit them by how they played,” he added.
The Growling Tigers also lacked the finishing kick at the end of regulation of La Salle’s overtime win, where Padrigao had a chance to win the game in the fourth but missed a go-ahead free throw and a pair of triples.
Padrigao said their team is still learning from those crucial situations.
READ: UAAP: Mo Tounkara suspended for UST home game vs Ateneo
“Yung learnings na ganun talagang makukuha namin yun kapag naexperience namin yung bagay na yun. It’s two straight games, wala pa rin kaming nagawa on that end of the floor. It’s not an excuse but then kailangan na namin yung next four games namin,” said Padrigao.
“Nakikita ko naman yung team namin na talagang nageeffort and tinitignan nila kung ano yung pwedeng matutunan each game. Naguusap usap kami. Talo na kami, next play na kami lagi.”
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Padrigao urges his team not to dwell on their second-round slump, hoping to finally get back on track with a win over University of the East next week.
“Focus na kami sa next game kasi wala hindi kami pwede magdwell sa talo na ito kailangan na namin magprepare for next game,” he said.
