AFTER two championship runs with the Ateneo Blue Eagles, Forth Padrigao is back in the UAAP men's hoops playoffs after helping lead the UST Growling Tigers to the Season 87 Final Four.

Padriago and the Growling Tigers secured the third seed with a 7-7 slate and their first semifinals entry in five years after blowing past the Adamson Soaring Falcons 75-49 at the FilOil EcoOil Center on Wednesday.

Happy as he is with the breakthrough, Padrigao, a Season 85 Mythical member and champ with Ateneo, knows that things will only get tougher from here on out.

The Growling Tigers are facing the second seed and twice-to-beat Fighting Maroons, after all.

"It's a familiar territory (for me) and I know the games will only get tougher from here on out with the games being do-or-die ones," said Padrigao, who finished with seven points, six assists and two rebounds against Adamson.

"We're really happy with the win but we just have a day or two break and then will focus on UP. UP is a tough opponent and they're hard to beat twice that's why we really have to prepare well against them," added Padrigao, whose team lost twice in as many games to the Maroons in the elimination round this season.

For now, Padrigao is just cherishing the win, though, with the heady point guard giving credits to his teammates, especially the bench players.

"Credits to my teammates. They really showed up today, our bench points is 38 to Adamson's 21. I think that spelled the difference. Let's really give it to my teammates who are ready to step up when needed."