Ateneo star guard Padrigao ineligible for upcoming UAAP season due to academic woes

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) Blue Eagles just received a huge blow.

After struggling in the various collegiate preseason tournaments due to their new roster, the reigning UAAP basketball kings will be facing a tough task defending their championship title after the school announced that their superstar point guard Forthsky Padrigao will not be playing in the upcoming Season 86.

The development was confirmed by Ateneo last July 22, 2023, when the team announced that Padrigao failed to meet the school’s academic requirements.

“Forthsky Padrigao was unable to meet Ateneo de Manila University’s academic requirements in SY 2022-2023, and therefore he is not eligible to play in the upcoming UAAP Season 86,” Ateneo wrote in a team statement.

Padrigao was one of Ateneo’s key players during their UAAP Season 85 redemption campaign when they retaliated against the University of the Philippines (UP) Fighting Maroons during the highly-anticipated grand finals rematch.

From an inconsistent ball-handler, the savvy Padrigao showed a huge improvement to his game and was named in the Mythical Five selection last season.

Padrigao averaged 11.6 points, 4.9 assists, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.2 steals every contest last season and was also a runner-up for the Most Valuable Player (MVP) race.

Unfortunately, Padrigao failed to win the MVP award and was raised by UP’s star center Malick Diouf.

Now that Padrigao will not be suiting up for their title defense, head coach Tab Baldwin will be banking on the services of their reserve guards including Ilonggo floor general Ian Espinosa.

“He will use the time off the court to focus on his academics. We hope to see him back on the court once he fulfills his responsibilities as an Ateneo student,” Ateneo added.