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    Baldwin lists Padrigao qualities that can make him Ateneo's guard of the future

    Padrigao court vision, shooting can make him a 'great floor general,' says Tab
    Sep 22, 2020
    PHOTO: Marlo Cueto

    FORTHSKY Padrigao staying put in Katipunan guarantees that Ateneo's long line of elite point guards will continue, at least for the next half-decade.

    But the 5-foot-11 guard isn't fixated on the hype just yet, knowing he still has to prove himself once he finally plays in the seniors division come UAAP Season 84.

    "Tingin ko I'm still far from that," Padrigao said, giving a nod to his seniors like Matt Nieto and SJ Belangel. "I haven't played a single game in college, either summer leagues or UAAP. For me, I'm not yet next in line."

    That kind of humility from Padrigao is exactly what coach Tab Baldwin wants to see to affirm his decision to recruit him to the Blue Eagles camp.

    "When you listen to his answer, he passes one grade by deferring to his predecessors, the players who have already been there and done it, and the current point guards that are at the school," he said.

    "He already shows that maturity and humility, and if it's real or not, it doesn't matter because that's what he needs to show."

    Baldwin, though, noted that Padrigao has more steak than sizzle. What makes the Zamboanga-born court general unique is his impeccable court vision, he added.

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    "One thing that separates Forthsky potentially from all of them and also presents the possibility of him being better than any of them is he has better court vision than all of his predecessors," observed the American-Kiwi mentor.

    "If there's a uniqueness about him, his court vision is tremendous especially for such a young player," he added. "He's a tremendous passer of the ball, and he's gonna get a lot stronger which is going to make his passing even better."

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    Add to that his above-average shooting skills, as evidenced by his performance for the Blue Eaglets last season, and Padrigao's appeal among college teams was understandable.

    "When you combine that with the fact that he's a good long-range shooter, you got a kid that can be a great floor general, a player that plays very well with superior talent, and you got a guy that can be a force on the offensive end," said Baldwin.

    But that doesn't mean that he's already a complete player.

    Baldwin pointed out that Padrigao can still get a lot stronger, saying, "He still can be a player that has the strength and ability to be a rim attacker."

    And as good as the 19-year-old is on the offensive end, it's also imperative for him to do his part on defense.

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      And if Padrigao does just that, well, Ateneo's future is definitely in good hands.

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      "We just have to turn him to a player who loves and wants to play defense," said Baldwin. "When you do that, what you got is a very complete point guard."

      As bright as that future is, Padrigao knows he still has to work to turn those predictions into reality.

      "Wala pa ako doon at malayong-malayo pa ako," he said.

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      PHOTO: Marlo Cueto
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