By MARK REY MONTEJO
University of Santo Tomas will have to play extra sharp on offense when it begins its title bid in the UAAP against reigning champion University of the Philippines on Sept. 21 at the school’s Quadricentennial Pavilion.
That’s because crafty guard Forthsky Padrigao won’t be seeing action as he will be serving his one-game suspension for an infraction he committed during last year’s Final Four game against the very team the Tigers will be facing.
Padrigao, who started his UAAP career at Ateneo, committed two unsportsmanlike fouls that resulted in his ejection off an elbow hit on former UP big man Quentin Millora-Brown.
In that series, the twice-to-beat holder UP survived the gritty UST side, 78-69, before it eventually snatched the UAAP crown over the La Salle Green Archers.
UST though made a strong statement in the preliminary rounds after finishing as third place with a 7-7 win-loss record.
A pivotal piece in Ateneo’s title win in Season 85, the versatile guard is suiting up for his final year as a Tiger. He alongside Nic Cabanero and Kyle Paranada are projected to lead the Pido Jarencio-guided crew for another semifinals shot.
UAAP basketball begins Sept. 20 to 21, starting after the opening ceremony on Sept. 20 at UST Athletic Field and Open Spaces.
