RARING to turn over a new leaf, embattled guard Forthsky Padrigao has found a new home in University of Santo Tomas.
Fr. Rodel Cansancio, OP, the school’s athletic director, confirmed that the 21-year-old court general has indeed changed addresses to España as he looks ahead to a clean slate for both his life and basketball career.
“Siya ang lumapit sa amin and he said he wants to have a second chance after everything that has happened to him. We’re a Catholic school and who are we to judge someone who wants reparation?,” he said, with the 5-foot-11 guard seeking to put his past behind after leaving Ateneo last August.
Cansancio bared that Padrigao is already enrolled in the Institute of Physical Education and Athletics (IPEA) and has attended practices of the Growling Tigers.
More than his on-court exploits though, Padrigao has sought guidance counselling and even asked to participate in the school’s outreach programs as a way for him to share what he learned through the slew of controversies that he found himself embroiled in recently.
“Siya mismo ang nag-effort para i-prove na pinagsisisihan niya yung mga nagawa niya at gusto niyang ipakita na natuto na siya sa mga pagkakamali na yun. Ang UST naman is there to help him reform his ways especially since he’s still a kid who needs guidance,” said the amiable priest.
There’s no denying the playmaking prowess of Padrigao who was the runner-up in the UAAP Season 86 MVP race. He averaged 11.0 points, 5.5 assists, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.4 steals to earn his place in the Mythical Team and helped the Blue Eagles claim the men’s basketball championship.
The former national youth team member from Zamboanga can still play for two more years with the Growling Tigers starting UAAP Season 87, but will still have to prove himself to coach Pido Jarencio.
But for Cansancio, what matters most is for Padrigao to get his life back together before he can redeem himself on the basketball court.
“Obviously, he’s a talented player, but if he really wants to atone for his past mistakes, UST will be there to help him in this journey,” he said.