UAAP fans speak up as Forthsky Padrigao bids goodbye to Ateneo

The Ateneo Blue Eagles bid farewell to its best floor general, for good it seems. On Monday night, Forthsky Padrigao announced on Instagram that he is leaving Ateneo to address his personal issues. Just recently, it has been confirmed that Padrigao won’t be suiting up for the defending champs in Season 86 of the UAAP due to academic reasons. A few days later, the polarizing cager stirred things up yet again by declaring his departure from Katipunan.

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A post shared by Forth Padrigao (@padrigao.forth)

Here’s a small sample size of how the UAAP community reacted to Padrigao’s self-imposed exile.

In an instant, Twitter user Lolson lobbied for the former Ateneo standout to get signed in the Korean Basketball League.

“Forthsky Padrigao is available for KBL. He was the MVP runner-up of the UAAP last season,” Lolson tweeted.

Forthsky Padrigao is available for KBL. He was the MVP runner up of the UAAP last season.

— Lolson (@trollingisfire) July 31, 2023

Blue Eagles supporter @secretswcret underscored Padrigao’s elite play, which the Tab Balwin-mentored squad will miss, according to the netizen.

 “Forthsky padrigao is literally a big loss to Ateneo, especially on the offensive end. Ateneo's backcourt is probably the biggest weakness of the team.”

As an admu fan, as a basketball fan without pun intended. Forthsky padrigao is literally a big loss to ateneo especially at the offensive end. Ateneo's back court can probably the biggest weakness of the team. He's an amateur playmaker, an amateur when it comes to UAAP +++

— secretswcret (@secretswcret) July 31, 2023

Netizen Kichy Pinbayn is already saying that Padrigao’s absence will likely lead to the Blue Eagles’ downfall.

“’Pag natalo Ateneo this season, alam niyo na,” she wrote.

Pag natalo ateneo this season alam niyo na.

— Kichy Pinbayn (@pinbayn) July 31, 2023

Twitter user @casseychow1 believes that Padrigao’s collegiate career is not yet over.

“Maglalaro pa rin ‘yan. Wait lang ng offer ng ibang school,” tweeted @casseychow1

maglalaro pren yan. wait lang may mag offer ng ibang skul

— cassey chow (@casseychow1) July 31, 2023

Netizen jared3 has a different take. For him, Padrigao’s exit could be a good thing for Ateneo.

“The blue side can cheer as one again,” he stated.

The blue side can cheer as one again HAHA

— jared3 (@jared_chua3) July 31, 2023

However, there are those who can’t help but feel sorry for the talented ball handler just like @josephpinlac23.

“Aww Forthsky Padrigao,” he said via tweet.

aww forthsky padrigao 🥹

— 𝗠𝗝. (@josephpinlac23) August 1, 2023

As his IG post said, Padrigao will focus on self-improvement. He made no mention of future plans regarding his basketball career nor his studies.

“If I were given the ultimate kindness of a second chance, I know I will have to work harder than any basketball training I’ve undergone before. But I will be better. Let me be better. Thank you. Farewell, Ateneo,” he ended his statement.

(GM)