The two players have already fixed their determination to remain in the Eagle’s nest. Head Coach Tab Baldwin revealed, “It’s always a pleasure for our program to bring players from the high school ranks to the university ’cause we see that as a big advantage for us whenever that happens,”

Following the footsteps of their Ateneo high school seniors, Thirdy Ravena, Matt, and Mike Nieto, Coach Tab Baldwin is in delight to bring these players to the collegiate division

“We’ve always wanted our high school players to make it to college. We give value to the things that they’ve learned, not just the mantra but most especially the spirit that goes behind being an Atenean. Yan ang di namin matuturo agad agad,” Baldwin added.

Both eligible to play in UAAP season 84, Baldwin revealed that securing these homegrown talents was the team’s top priority. 

The Blue Eagles are now seeking for a four-peat championship next season. Apart from the topnotch basketball program, the spark of quality education is also one of the reasons why they chose Ateneo despite numerous offers from rival schools. 

“Quality education and good basketball program, parehas yun may Ateneo. Di ko na kailangan pang lumayo,” Floor general Padrigao shared. 

The 6-foot-5 winger Lazaro also added that his parents stressed to him the importance of education and having Coach Tab Baldwin’s exceptional basketball program, there is no need to look for other schools. 

Last UAAP Season 82, Padrigao averaged 17.2 points, 4.13 rebounds, 4.13 assists, and 3.67 steals per game. While Lazaro posted an average of 13.2 points, 12.8 boards, 1.93 assists, 1.47 steals, and 1.33 blocks per game. 

There is still much work to be done for Padrigao and Lazaro as they want to live up to the expectations and successes of their predecessors when they left Ateneo High for Blue Eagles. 

The footsteps of their seniors serve as a motivation for them to prove to Baldwin that he made the right decision in recruiting them. 

“We take pride in it kasi yung mga kuya namin, product sila ng Ateneo High School, and then maganda ang pinakita nila sa college. So dapat kami, it’s either mahigitan namin o tapatan namin yung nagawa nila for the college division,” Padrigao propounded. 

“Gusto namin maging ganoon din kami at makapagdala din kami ng championship sa Ateneo same as them,” added.