UST point guard Forthsky Padrigao. Photo from UAAP Media.

MANILA — University of Santo Tomas has lost three straight games to start the second round of the UAAP Season 87 men's basketball tournament.

After a promising 4-3 start, the Growling Tigers now have six defeats after their 67-64 heartbreak to Ateneo de Manila University on Saturday, and they are currently tied with the Blue Eagles, Adamson University, and Far Eastern University in the number of losses as of writing.

"You know, we really needed this win, this game but then hindi namin nakuha," said Tigers floor general Forthsky Padrigao, who had eight points, five assists, and three rebounds, but with two turnovers.

READ: Ateneo wins second straight in Round 2, spoils UST's home game

Padrigao committed a crucial turnover in the endgame in the possession that could have given UST a chance to tie or win the game, but the former Blue Eagle offered no excuses for the sequences that led to their defeat. 

"Trinabaho din naman ng teammates ko kanina, lahat naman kami nag ambag-ambag, but I think our efforts weren't enough. We'll check yung stats and yung film pa para alam namin kung saan kami mas magi-improve pa coming next games," he explained.

Aside from the loss, the Tigers also failed to take advantage of their rare chance to show out on their home court, with the Tigers playing at the Quadricentennial Pavilion on Saturday. Padrigao expressed regret about giving the Thomasians something to celebrate this weekend, but he said that they will just hope to bounce back in their next assignments. 

"Wala akong masabi sa UST crowd, grabe ramdam na ramdam namin yung effort nila sa pagchi-cheer. Yun lang, hindi namin nasuklian ng panalo yung suporta nila sa amin. Hopefully, yung mga upcoming games namin masuklian namin yung effort na binibigay nila sa amin," he said.

Despite the series of unfortunate events for the España-based squad, Padrigao is opting to treat these as learning pains for the still-young Tigers team. 

"For us, wala naman saming frustrations. Talagang learnings pa rin talaga. I mean, kailan ba kami naka-experience ng ganitong mga sitwasyon? Against La Salle, etong Ateneo," he said. "Nakikita ko naman yung team namin na talagang nage-effort and tinitignan nila kung ano yung pwedeng matutunan each game. Naguusap usap kami. Talo na kami, next play na kami lagi."

He also touched on his crucial turnover, saying that it will eventually contribute to him improving more as UST's court general. 

"Yung learnings na ganunm talagang makukuha namin yun pag na-experience namin yung bagay na yun," said Padrigao, who also missed a crucial free throw in their previous overtime loss to De La Salle University last Wednesday.

"It's two straight games, wala pa rin kaming nagawa, pero natututo pa din naman kasi kami yung team naminm 'di naman yan buo na agad. It's not an excuse, but then kailangan na namin yung next four games namin. Sana yung mga end-game situations for our past two games, may ma-learn kami doon and madala sa upcoming games namin," he emphasized.

The Tigers will hope to bounce back and end their losing skid next Sunday, October 27, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

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