University of Santo Tomas star Forthsky Padrigao against De La Salle University in UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball. Photo from UAAP Media.MANILA — University of Santo Tomas has now taken down both of last year’s finalists in UAAP men’s basketball.
READ: Cabañero, Akowe shine as UST ends long losing streak against La Salle
In Season 88 so far, the Growling Tigers roared their way into an unblemished record in two games, with the España-based cagers defeating University of the Philippines last week, and then De La Salle University on Saturday.
It was prized rookie Collins Akowe who starred in UST’s victory over the Season 87 champions in their season opener, with the 6-foot-9 beast imposing his will against the Fighting Maroons.
Against La Salle, meanwhile, the debuting Forthsky Padrigao immediately made his presence felt despite sitting out due to a one-game suspension, delivering 12 points, nine assists, and three steals as the Tigers finally beat the Green Archers after 10 years.
However, the graduating playmaker downplayed their latest triumph.
He admitted to having the Lasallians circled in his calendar as he was to make his Season 88 debut as mentioned, but he insisted that their squad was not even aware of the decade's worth of losses that they eventually erased.
“It just happened na panalo kami, we didn’t know that it was 10 years,” the one-time UAAP champion guard said. “I knew that La Salle was my first game, so talagang pinaghandaan ko ‘to. Yung preparations ko, dun talaga naka-focus.”
“We were just sticking to our principles, what we do as a team,” he added.
Unlike against UP wherein they dominated almost from the opening tip, UST saw themselves down by double digits against La Salle, needing a fourth-quarter surge from Akowe and company to overcome the Season 86 champions.
Still, even with the gravity of their wins given the way that they responded to different situations, Padrigao emphasized that they are just a small part of the 14-game puzzle of the elimination round that they need to solve first before thinking of greater success down the line.
“We’re glad that we’re progressing, but mahaba pa yung season,” the former Ateneo de Manila University guard stressed. “It’s just the first two games, and lahat ng teams ngayon mas magagaling na.”
For now, Padrigao is urging his teammates to stay patient, taking their upcoming assignment with a specific outlook in each of them.
“We’ll cross the bridge when we get there,” he said. “Right now kasi, we’re just focusing on what’s at hand talaga eh. We’re just all about the small details.”
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