Padrigao, Tigers aim to establish fresh winning culture

MANILA, Philippines -- New Growling Tiger Forthsky Padrigao is bent on creating a new culture with the University of Santo Tomas, as they had a triumphant start in the UAAP Season 87 against the University of the East Red Warriors on Sunday.

Padrigao, who previously won a championship with the Ateneo Blue Eagles and was a member of the league Mythical Five, had a decent start for UST.

While the guard had just five points on 2-of-10 shooting, he recorded seven assists and six rebounds, including no-look dimes and nifty passes in the Growling Tigers’ 70-55 win.

After the game, Padrigao admitted that it is a challenge to build a culture for the Espana-based squad, considering that they had bad season after bad season the past few years.

“When I joined Ateneo, there’s already an established culture. So here in UST, it is a new challenge because we’re trying to build a culture here,” he told reporters in a mix of English and Filipino.

“So hopefully, that will be fixed, the culture that we are building, and hopefully it will be better in the next few games,” he added.

UST started the game hot as they made shot after shot, while clamping the Red Warriors.

The lead grew to as much as 22 points, 68-46, in the fourth quarter.

“We’re really building on it because it’s hard to create a culture. It’s not gonna happen overnight, especially with us, almost all of our teammates are new with each other,” Padrigao said.

“So, we will take it slowly, with practices, preparation and games.”

And with the guard being seen as one of the leaders of the team, there is only one goal for him.

“I don’t have [any goals]. I just want to win. I don’t have the Mythical Five [as a goal.] That is a bonus if it comes, but I just want to win.”

Haircut tradition

Interestingly, the new-look Tigers are not the only ones that changed.

In the past, the bald hairdo has been a fixture for UST teams coached by Pido Jarencio.

In the UAAP Season 87, though, the tradition appeared to be halted.

Asked about this, Jarencio had a humorous response.

“I read a lot of articles. All those who are locked up in jails are all bald-headed, even drug lords. So I told [the team] whatever hair you want, you just wear it,” he told reporters.

“Their hair looks good on them. I am fine with their hair, as long as we just win,” he added.

Guard Nic Cabanero, for his part, said he was the first one to approve the team’s haircut rule change.

The Growling Tigers will try to win two in a row as they face Ateneo on Wednesday.