Ambrosio Padilla was a basketball player who served as team captain for the Philippine squad that placed fifth in the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany. The Philippines suffered only one loss against eventual gold medal winner United States in that tournament. Padilla was one of the most important figures in Asian basketball development.

He studied at the Ateneo high school and college, where he captained the basketball team leading their Blue Eagles to the 1928 varsity championships. Padilla also represented the Philippines at the 1930 and 1934 Far Eastern Games, winning gold both times. When Padilla retired from competitive sports, he was appointed chairman of the Basketball Committee of the Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation (PAAF). From 1956-64 he served as Vice-President of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), later as President, and subsequently as Secretary-General of the Asian Basketball Confederation.

In 1970, Padilla became President of the Philippine Amateur Athletic Federation, later the Philippine Olympic Committee. Outside of sports, Padilla was a lawyer and served government as Solicitor General and later as elected Senator for three terms.

1936 Summer Olympics, Berlin