FILE – Ateneo guard Forthsky Padrigao during UAAP Season 85. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Forthsky Padrigao has bid Ateneo farewell not long after the Blue Eagles announced he’s ineligible to play in the UAAP Season 86 due to academic deficiencies.
Padrigao announced his departure from Ateneo in an Instagram post on Monday.
“After everything that has happened, I feel that I can’t go back anymore and I have to say farewell,” wrote Padrigao.
“Attending classes has been getting harder and harder for me, and now even if I want to represent my university as an athlete, I can’t anymore.”
Padrigao also said he “made both right and wrong decisions” during his stay in Ateneo.
“Over the course of my stay in Ateneo, I made both right and wrong decisions. The past several months have been very difficult, and I fully acknowledge that this is because of mistakes that I made before when I was still in high school, which haunt me to the day,” said Padrigao, who did not delve into specifics.
“I want to express my deepest apologies because, even if I never intended to and I never physically hurt anyone, have come to realize the gravity of my irresponsible words and actions and the pain they caused others,” he added.
Ateneo’s Forthsky Padrigao. –UAAP PHOTO
Padrigao also claimed he has been the topic of “malicious” stories since Ateneo reclaimed the men’s basketball title last December.
“The past months have made this extremely difficult. I’ve kept my silence because my team needed to focus on the games, but I can’t understand how malicious the stories have become since we won, and now I have to answer even for errors I didn’t commit.”
The 21-year-old guard had a breakout season last year and played a vital role in the Blue Eagles’ championship run.
Padrigao averaged 11.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists and a league-best 2.4 steals to earn himself a spot in the Mythical Team.
“I want to express my deepest apologies because, even if I never intended to and I never physically hurt anyone, I have come to realize the gravity of my irresponsible words and actions and the pain they caused others,” he said.
“If I were given the ultimate kindness of a second chance, I know I will have to work harder than any basketball training I’ve undergone before. But I will be better. Let me be better.”
Padrigao, who did not say where he’s headed next, expressed his gratitude to Ateneo, which was his “dream school.”
“I had the greatest chance to be a basketball champion here; I am learning now it takes much more to win at living,” he said.
“There is a lot I have to learn to redeem myself. I hope those I’ve hurt will heal. I hope somehow in this journey I’ll make my parents proud again,” said Padrigao. “If I were given the ultimate kindness of a second chance, know I will have to work harder than any basketball training I’ve undergone before. But will be better. Let me be better.”
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