Imee Hernandez was just a scoring machine for University of Santo Tomas in its win over Ateneo de Manila University on Saturday.
The 5-foot-10 middle blocker out of Bulacan unloaded a career-best 24 points on 19 attacks, three blocks, and two service aces to lead the Golden Tigresses to a 25-22, 25-20, 27-29, 25-21 victory over the Blue Eagles.
That scoring output was so far the highest by any middle blocker in the tournament.
Despite her career-high performance though, Hernandez was all about just doing her job for UST, which is looking to get out of a logjam in spots two to four with Adamson University and National University.
“Ginampanan ko lang po talaga ‘yung role ko sa game namin ngayon, and ‘yun po with the help po ng coaches namin talagang tinatrabaho po namin lahat,” said the 22-year-old UST High product.
“‘Yung mindset ko talagang gawin talaga ‘yung role ko kung ano ‘yung dapat kong gawin sa loob ng court, and siyempre ipakita ‘yung maturity na dapat meron kaming mga seniors po.”
With Hernandez slowly getting her groove back, she’s not looking to stop any moment and be contented with what she just set.
The Tigresses still have three games in their elimination round schedule in Far Eastern University, NU, and University of the Philippines before entering the Final Four if they will make it.
“Syempre hindi titigil or hindi kami masasatisfy sa ganito lang. Syempre kailangan lampasan pa namin palagi. Sabi ni coach kailangan everyday dapat nalalampasan mo ‘yung kung ano ‘yung ginawa mo today,” she added.
Meanwhile, head coach Kungfu Reyes said Hernandez’s performance was just a result of her sacrifices and hard work during training.
But the long-time UST tactician did not also hide his happiness upon knowing that his middle blocker erupted for 24 points, kind of unheard of when it comes to that position.
“At least sa output niya ngayon nararamdaman niya kung ano ‘yung pinaghihirapan niya, ‘yun naman ‘yun lagi. Kung pano siya mag ensayo, kung paano siya mag sacrifice ng oras, sa lahat, so doon na ‘yung mga magandang resulta na pinaghihirapan,” shared Reyes.
“Nakakakuha ng bente quatro gitna diba? Sa ibang team ko lang nakikita yan minsan, pero I don’t know kung siya na ‘yung pinakamataas na output sa middle kasi nga may 18, may 19, so sa middle kasi very rare na ii-score ka ng bente quatro o kaya double digit, so ayun congratulations para sa kanya.”
