The triple-overtime classic between University of Santo Tomas (UST) and Ateneo de Manila University wasn’t just one of the most thrilling finishes in the 88-year history of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) men’s basketball tournament.

It also marked an unforgettable homecoming for Tigers playmaker Forthsky Padrigao.

Padrigao claimed that their 98-89 triple overtime victory over the Blue Eagles was just an ordinary ballgame, but there was no denying the fact that playing against his former school at the same venue — the Blue Eagle Gym — where he used to train had inspired him to display one of his most memorable performances in the collegiate ranks.

Playing in front of the same group of fans who used to cheer for him, Padrigao dropped 20 points, four rebounds and two assists to lift the Tigers to the dramatic victory that lasted for more than three hours.

He sank the game-tying three-pointer with 39.9 seconds left in regulation and hit another clutch three in the first overtime before other Growling Tigers like Collins Akowe, Kyle Paranada, Nic Cabañero and Gelo Crisostomo delivered the knockout punch on the bruised and battered Blue Eagles in the opening minutes of the third and final extra period.

Still, Padrigao said it’s nothing personal.

“I just needed to do my job for the team. I didn’t do or think of anything special before heading into the game because it might just be a distraction. Nothing personal.”

“I just wanted to treat it like a normal game,” said Padrigao, who led the Tigers to the top of the team standings with a 4-1 win-loss record.

But whether he admits it or not, making a homecoming was truly special for Padrigao.

Coming out of the talent-rich Zamboanga City, Padrigao had a solid performance for the Blue Eagles in high school, paving the way for his smooth recruitment in the seniors division.

He had an impressive career with the Blue Eagles in which he played a crucial role in their title conquest in Season 85, where he emerged as part of the Mythical Team and finished as runner-up in the Most Valuable Player race won by Malick Diouf of University of the Philippines.

Things, however, didn’t go as planned. Padrigao faced allegations of sexual misconduct and was ineligible to see action in Season 86 due to academic deficiencies.

With that, he transferred to UST and promised to “build a winning culture,” helping the school win its first UAAP men’s basketball title in nearly two decades. After redshirting in Season 86, he finally suited up in Season 87, where he helped the Tigers advance to the Final Four.

This season is Padrigao’s last in the collegiate ranks and there’s no better way to show his determination to fulfill that promise by playing all out in a dramatic triple-overtime encounter against the school that he led to its most recent title.