Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times

Basketball

Alcantara sees Chooks-to-Go POW Hernandez as next face of Mapua


Mapua has finally taken flight in the NCAA 95 Men’s Basketball Tournament – and providing the wind beneath the Cardinals’ wings is a youthful core that has been energized by Paolo Hernandez.

The prized rookie has been at the vanguard of Mapua’s impressive week which saw it follow up a breakthrough win against Arellano with back-to-back victories over EAC and JRU.

“Siyempre, sabi nga ni coach, saan pa ba kami pupunta? 0-5 na kami e,” said Hernandez, talking about their luckless start to the season. “Wala na kaming ibang pupuntahan kundi panalo.”

Heeding the call of head coach Randy Alcantara, the 6-foot-3 versatile forward did the most damage in their recent back-to-back wins wherein he averaged 15.5 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 2.0 steals.

That effort was more than enough for Hernandez to be recognized as the Chooks-to-Go Collegiate Press Corps NCAA Player of the Week.

After dropping 11 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals in the Cardinals’ 76-66 victory versus the Generals, he turned in a career game with 20 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals in their loudest statement yet in the tournament, an 83-63 rout of the Heavy Bombers.

Without a doubt, the 20-year old has only proven worthy of the trust he has been given in his rookie year.

“Paolo Hernandez, kahit na isang taon lang sa Jrs., nakita ko agad yung leadership,” said Alcantara, his mentor from the Red Robins and now, the Cardinals.

“Nakikita ko after [Laurenz] Victoria, magiging mukha ng Cardinals si Paolo Hernandez.”

So far, so good for them as Hernandez follows Victoria in being hailed by scribes from print and online covering the beat as the week’s best player – keeping the award in Intramuros.

#ReadMore  From UE Rejects to Letran Heroes: Batiller, Yu grateful for second chance

For his part, though, the Finals MVP in last year’s NCAA Jrs. vowed to just get back to work and keep working.

“Masaya ako sa tiwala ni coach, pero ‘di ko muna iniisip yun. This season muna, tiyaga-tiyaga lang, step-by-step lang,” said Hernandez who bested Mapua teammate Victoria, San Beda’s Donald Tankoua, and the Lyceum pair of Jaycee Marcelino and Mike Nzeusseu.

Written By


You May Also Like

Basketball

For the first time in the NCAA Season 99 Seniors Basketball Tournament, San Beda University found itself on the winning end of a bout...

Basketball

Mapua University is just one win away from ending 32 years of tears, heartbreaks, and misery. The top-seeded Cardinals, backstopped by a breakout outing...

Basketball

In a battle between the last two second-place teams in the NCAA Seniors Basketball Tournament, Mapua University showed why it was the number one...

Basketball

Bucking one of the toughest slates of games this season, San Beda University is peaking at the right time as the Final Four race...

AU

Mapua University showcased its determination on Friday afternoon, overcoming a comeback attempt from the also-ran Arellano University and triumphing over the Chiefs with an...

Basketball

After a shaky start to the season, the University of Perpetual Help System DALTA is finally living up to its dark horse tag, having...

Basketball

Paolo Hernandez completed Mapua University’s fourth-quarter rally as his game-winning three-pointer launched the Cardinals over San Beda University 71-69 in the NCAA Season 99...

Basketball

The comeback is real for Ry De La Rosa. Jose Rizal University created some noise this week by securing two consecutive wins, bringing them...

Advertisement