WHILE University of Santo Tomas showed flashes of being a force to be reckoned with after making it all the way to the Playtime Cares Filoil EcoOil 18th Preseason Cup semifinals, it still faced more than a few struggles.
In particular, alarm bells had to be ringing when it came to lead guard Forthsky Padrigao and his shooting.
The Growling Tigers’ co-captain just couldn't find the bottom of the net inside the Playtime Filoil Centre, where he shot just 23.75-percent.
Padrigao’s shooting woes culminated in a three-point, 1-of-11 outing in their quarterfinal win against EAC then another three-point, 1-of-8 showing as they bowed out of contention following a semifinal defeat to National U.
On the flip side, even as he's still searching for his shot, Nic Cabañero, Gelo Crisostomo, and the rest of the black-and-gold managed to find a way, for the most part.
“It’s ok. As long as the team’s winning,” he said. "There will be slumps din naman talaga and there will be times that you’ll be consistent.”
“Personally, hindi naman ako worried kasi every day pa rin naman akong nagsi-skills with my coaches and with my teammates, so tiwala pa rin sa sarili. May mga times talaga and days na the ball’s just not gonna fall, so just take it in and continue working hard lang.”
UST still getting ready for primetime
And of course, one player does not make a team.
UST fell to dogged and determined NU not only because of its primetime playmaker's shooting slump.
“I think it just shows that we’re not ready to compete at a high level yet. We did everything din naman, but then still, kita din naman na may kulang pa din sa amin," said Padrigao.
“I don’t know what, specifically, but for sure we’re gonna watch the film and adjust from there.”
Those adjustments will be even more necessary with the official arrival of their latest prize catch in one-time MVP and first-ever Best Foreign Student-Athlete Collins Akowe.
“We still dont know how it looks 'pag si Collins na naglalaro sa amin kasi wala pa naman kami leagues na kasama namin siya. Even sa practices, konti pa lang reps niya sa amin, so that one, we’ll figure out pa,” added Padrigao.
Nonetheless, the Growling Tigers' run to the Filoil Preseason semifinals was more than enough proof they have exactly what they need to build on their Final Four finish last season in the UAAP.
All it takes now is chemistry and consistency - and Padrigao it not about to stop shooting his shot to achieve those sooner than later.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
