MANILA, Philippines—What a distinction a 12 months makes for Nationwide College ahead Kenshin Padrones.
Nearly precisely a 12 months in the past, Padrones was crammed with uncertainties so far as his younger basketball profession was involved after he took an inadvertent elbow from former UAAP MVP Malick Diouf of College of the Philippines.
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Padrones sustained a fractured orbital bone and was sidelined for almost all of his sophomore season.
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NU coach Jeff Napa and Ken Padrones after ending a four-game skid. #UAAPSeason87 @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/rVN4h1BYwH
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) October 5, 2024
“It’s like, we didn’t know what’s going to occur subsequent as a result of I acquired hit within the head,” recalled Padrones in Filipino on Saturday night time following NU’s 78-68 win over Ateneo that snapped a four-game dropping skid.
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However that was a 12 months in the past. Quick ahead to now, one factor’s clear: Buoyed by the Bulldogs’ unwavering perception in him, Padrones has been making up for misplaced time.
Again in full power, Padrones performed his greatest recreation but with a career-high 18 factors that went with six rebounds to assist NU end the primary spherical on a successful be aware.
READ: UAAP: NU stops slide, provides to Ateneo’s woes
“I’m grateful for them (NU) as a result of they didn’t let me go regardless of what occurred,” mentioned Padrones in an interview with Inquirer Sports activities.
“They helped me get again up. It was an enormous loss for me as a result of it was my second 12 months, I misplaced numerous video games however they assured me that they’d assist me achieve no matter I had misplaced.”
Padrones, particularly, expressed his gratitude to his head coach Jeff Napa, who was emotional in the course of the post-game press convention after steering his squad to only its second win in seven outings.
“I’m grateful for coach Jeff as a result of even when that occurred to me, he nonetheless trusted me. I’m glad as a result of coach Jeff gave me such big confidence regardless of what occurred,” Padrones mentioned.