FORTH PADRIGAO TRIUMPHANT IN ATENEO HOMECOMING

MANILA, Philippines — Forth Padrigao made his Ateneo de Manila homecoming of sorts albeit not as a Blue Eagle but as a UST Growling Tiger on Saturday in the UAAP Season 88 men's basketball tournament.

There was no added motivation in playing against his former school, especially at the gym he used to practice at during his high school days and first two years in college, though.

Padrigao said he thought of it as just another game albeit it turned out to be a marathon as it stretched to three overtimes with UST emerging on top, 98-89.

The pulsating match became the first UAAP men's basketball game that reached triple overtime in the Final Four era.

"I just needed to do my job or my role in our team in this ballgame. I think, I don't have anything special in mind or nothing personal for me," said Padrigao.

"I just wanted to treat it as another game because we want to win this game because it will be crucial for us. So, yeah. I mean, we're happy that we won. I'm just really tired."

Padrigao, who helped lead Ateneo to the Season 85 championship back in 2022 before transferring to UST a year later, logged 20 points, four rebounds, and two assists.

Post-game, the 6-foot point guard sang the Ateneo hymn with the Ateneo crowd, which booed him in some stretches of the game.

"Ah, no (I didn't expect the boos)," said Padrigao, whose UST improved to 4-1 for a share of the lead with the NU Bulldogs in the standings.

"No, I mean, coming to this game. No. I think I have good friends with Ateneo. They asked for tickets from me. I just cried because I'm really tired. I just want to finish the game. That's all."

2025-10-12T02:14:43Z