The UST Growling Tigers have gone 2-0 at the start of UAAP Season 87, matching their total wins from the previous season. Forthsky Padrigao though isn't celebrating yet.
It's an impressive start for the UST Growling Tigers in UAAP Season 87, but Forthsky Padrigao isn't celebrating just yet.
For the first time in nine years--or since Season 78--UST defeated the Ateneo Blue Eagles in men's basketball.
[ALSO READ: UST finally solves Ateneo puzzle as the Growling Tigers end 9-year UAAP drought vs. Blue Eagles]
It was not lost on Forthsky Padrigao, who now wears the black and yellow of UST after leaving Ateneo.
[ALSO READ: Ateneo playmaker Forthsky Padrigao to miss UAAP Season 86 due to academic woes]
[NEXT: UAAP fans speak up as Forthsky Padrigao bids goodbye to Ateneo]
Does he see similarities with the UAAP Season 85 men's basketball champion and this particular streak of Growling Tigers?
"I think it’s too early for me to say there are similarities po," he told reporters after the win against Ateneo.
"Although panalo naman po 'yung mga game namin, pero malayo pa po kami sa realidad eh," he added.
[ALSO READ: UAAP: UST’s Forthsky Padrigao insists no difference in preparing for ex-school Ateneo]
For UST and Coach Pido Jarencio, the wins against Ateneo and UE are promising steps after their 2-12 record last season. But their current results are far from the Growling Tigers' end goal.
"Malayo pa ‘to. Two games, first round, eh may second round pa to. Pero kahit papano, nakaka-pondo na kami ng panalo, basta ang goal namin is one game at a time [at] makapasok ng final four. Yun muna kami," Coach Pido said.
As the Growling Tigers continue to push forward in the season, Coach Pido is hopeful that Padrigao’s experience will help the team avoid getting carried away by early wins.
"Nag-e-establish kami na 'yung sarili namin [ay] magkaroon ng identity. Kasi 'pag hindi ka nanalo wala kang identity. Pero sa ngayon nananalo kami, we’re doing well sa sistemang pinasok namin, with Forthsky as the leader, nagkakaron na ng ngipin ‘yung team," Coach Pido said.
[ALSO READ: UAAP: Fiery UST coach Pido Jarencio mellows as confidence in Growling Tigers shine through]
UST will be put to the test anew against the Adamson Soaring Falcons on Sunday, September 15.
[NEXT: UAAP schedule: Ateneo-La Salle highlight week of grudge matches in Season 87]
(With reports from Luisa Morales, One Sports Digital)