Padrigao’s next move is still unknown.
Ateneo Blue Eagles coach Tab Baldwin said it himself that he’s not a very sympathetic guy, but the recent events that led to former UAAP Mythical Five member Forthsky Padrigao’s departure from the team and university has made him otherwise.
In July, Ateneo announced that Padrigao will be unable to suit up for the Blue Eagles due to academic reasons. However, just days later, the polarizing guard announced his departure from the team completely.
Padrigao has been at the center of heavy criticism from the public due to allegations of sexual abuse even prior to Seasons 84 and 85.
Coming to his defense now is Baldwin, who said that the university had become a “toxic” environment for Padrigao, even after winning his appeal to continue as a student in Ateneo.
“He won his appeal. He would be allowed to continue as a student, but I think that the off-court incidents that had occurred when he was in high school, I think they were the death nail for Fortsky,” Baldwin told Noli Eala in Radyo5’s Power and Play.
“The environment around him at the university was toxic and he had enough, and I think that's incredibly sad,” he added.
In a now deleted post, the 21-year-old cager said he has made “both right and wrong decisions,” and that last few months have been “difficult” because of “mistakes [he] made when [he] was still in high school.”
Baldwin, meanwhile, pointed out Padrigao's efforts to atone for the things he has done.
“Forthsky Padrigao isn't just a basketball player. People don't realize that. He's a good kid that made a big mistake and he just couldn't get past the toxic environment that surrounded him,” said Baldwin.
Despite Padrigao now being out of Ateneo and his plans yet unknown, Baldwin assured the young hooper that he will continue to support him moving forward.
“I have all the sympathy in the world for him and I've told him, he has my undying support going forward,” said Baldwin.
For a young man trying to get back on his feet and steady his ship, that support could prove to be a difference-maker.
(MDB)