Padrigao was crucial to Ateneo’s championship run in Season 85.
The Ateneo Blue Eagles will be without their starting point guard Forthsky Padrigao come UAAP Season 86.
In a statement posted on the school’s website, Ateneo said that Padrigao was unable to meet the school’s academic requirements in school year 2022–2023, making him ineligible to play in the coming season.
“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’s statement read.
This will be a big loss for Ateneo as Padrigao was crucial to the Blue Eagles’ championship run last season.
In his second year with the Blue Eagles, Padrigao averaged 11.0 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and a league-best 2.4 steals for 71.571 statistical points, which was second only to Most Valuable Player Malick Diouf of the University of the Philippines.
The UAAP Season 85 Mythical Five member had also not been included in Ateneo’s recent preseason tilts, which may point towards this recent announcement.
Following Padrigao’s loss, as well the departure of several graduating players, Ateneo’s new recruits will be expected to rise up to the challenge. as the Blue Eagles look to defend their crown next season.
(MDB)