WHEN blue skies clouded over Forthsky Padrigao, UST proved to be the sunshine for him to start again.
And for that alone, he’s grateful for life.
Padrigao spent two years with Ateneo before he was released from the team in 2023.
In the two years that followed, he did it all for the Growling Tigers —growing into a leader, lifting them whenever needed, and helping put them back on the UAAP map after seasons spent far from Final Four contention.
READ: UP marches on to fifth straight finals after gutsy win vs UST
That journey, though, had to end prematurely as defending champion UP proved too poised to falter on Wednesday night at the Big Dome.
Still, Padrigao will look back with a smile that is anchored on España’s generous second chance.
“First meeting pa lang, I was welcomed with open arms,” Padrigao told SPIN.ph.
“Wala eh, it’s life. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, you just have to accept it. But this bond will always be with me. I’m happy for them and they have a bright future ahead.”
Padrigao cherishes growing in an environment he describes as casual and approachable.
“Kay Coach Pido pa lang, parang tropa na. Then extended through sila Fr. Rodel Cansancio, welcomed na welcomed. Masaya lang ang environment namin, very open. Pwede ko sabihan kahit sino, pwede din nila ako sabihan — especially sa team,” he said.
Like Jarencio, who described their exit as ‘progress,’ Padrigao is also grateful to have played a part in the give-and-take dynamic with the institution that handed him another shot at the collegiate level.
“Happy thoughts right now, kasi masaya kami sa naging improvement. It only gets better for them. As for me, I gave 100 percent, gave it all for UST. I’ve become a leader, ’cause that’s what I’m supposed to do," he shared.
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