By: Ernest Tuazon
After not making the De La Salle University lineup last season, former Sta. Rosa standout Chris Hernandez remained confident in his abilities to make an immediate impact as the Taft-based squad embarks on their redemption tour in the UAAP Season 87 Men’s Volleyball Tournament, now without two of their key players.
Hernandez, who concluded his high school career with De La Salle Lipa, looks to fill the void left by Green Spikers’ mainstays JM Ronquillo and Vince Maglinao.
“Wala namang pressure kasi alam ko naman yung capacity ko and may room for improvement naman,” said Hernandez following La Salle’s four-set, 25-19, 27-25, 23-25, 25-20 win over University of Santo Tomas in the 2024 V-League Men’s Collegiate Challenge last Wednesday.
(C) V-League Images
Having played alongside Maglinao and Ronquillo in the juniors’ ranks at La Salle Lipa, Hernandez told Tiebreaker Times that both have been guiding him since his high school days.
And they continue to do so as he enters his rookie season with the Taft-based squad.
The incoming second-year Lasallian has become a focal point in the Green Spikers’ offense during their 2-0 start in the V-League, scoring 10 points against the Golden Spikers and 14 points in their first win against Letran.
“Naabutan ko sila actually sa HS, mga Grade 7 or 8, and ginagabayan pa rin nila ako kahit hindi ko na sila teammates. Patuloy pa rin naman nila ako ginagabayan and binibigyan ng tips paano hindi kabahan at magenjoy,” he added.
However, if there’s one piece of advice from the dynamic La Salle duo that remains etched in Hernandez’s mind, it’s to set lofty but humble goals for his collegiate career with the Green Spikers.
“Magtiwala lang sa kapasidad ko and huwag masyado tignan ng mababa yung sarili kasi bata pa naman ako.”
