Paolo Hernandez named as NCAA Player of the Week

Paolo Hernandez

Keeping pace with an undefeated Lyceum is a Mapua side that only has one loss in their five games, including back-to-back victories last week against the College of Saint Benilde and Emilio Aguinaldo College.

Ensuring their strong start towards NCAA Season 99 for the Cardinals is Paolo Hernandez, who played a key role in their wins against the Blazers and the Generals, moving them into a tie with Jose Rizal University at 4-1.

The 6'3 forward averaged 16.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.5 assists in those two games, while also nailing the game-winning jumpers in the process.

His jumper with 22 seconds left proved to be the dagger against CSB last October 4, with three free throws serving as the icing on the victory. Paolo then followed that on Sunday with a step-back midrange jumper to break a 69-all deadlock against EAC, while also making a crucial deflection to ensure the Cardinals' triumph that day.

Such efforts warranted the attention of the Collegiate Press Corps, who named him as the league's Player of the Week for the period between October 3-9. He beat out his teammate Clint Escamis, Mclaude Guadana and John Barba of Lyceum, and Agem Miranda of JRU for the weekly nod, which is presented by San Miguel Corporation and backed by minor sponsors Discovery Suites and Jockey.

Hernandez played down his individual achievements and instead highlighted the team's effort and hard work as how they managed to secure their victories.

"We just stayed composed lang, and nagtiwala kami sa mga coaches, sa mga teammates. May tiwala kami sa isa’t isa," he shares.

Hernandez adds, "Yung shots ko na ‘yun, dahil ‘yun sa teammates ko. Sa assist ni Clint, sa box out ng mga big man, especially Jopet Soriano. Lahat ‘yon, yung shots na ‘yon, kami yung tumira no’n."

Mapua head coach Randy Alcantara was the one that gave Paolo his just flowers, highlighting his on-court smarts, in particular.

He notes, "Kaya siya yung pinuntahan ko kasi tiwala ako sa kanya eh. Alam ko, may desisyon siyang maganda nung huli. Pwede niyang itira, pwede niyang ipasa. Maraming salamat sa Panginoon na nabigay kay Paolo yung time na ‘yun at hindi siya nag-miss."