PAOLO Hernandez was denied a memorable moment early in his young PBA career for Terrafirma when Shabazz Muhammad buried the game-winning shot for Magnolia on Thursday in the Governors’ Cup.
The Dyip rookie buried a stepback three from the right corner for a 98-97 lead, leaving his team 15.6 seconds away from their first win of the conference.
But Hernandez’s shot went down the drain with Muhammad replying with a runner with 8.1 seconds left, a lead they would eventually hold on for a 99-98 win, sending Terrafirma reeling to its seventh defeat.
Hernandez may be the unlikelist player to be given the ball at that juncture of the game, but not with his teammates.
The 22nd pick in the Season 49 draft that was acquired by Terrafirma in a trade with Ginebra said he was given the green light by the veterans to shoot and urged him not to hesitate even for a bit when the opportunity comes.
“Dying seconds na rin. ‘Yung trust talaga nandoon eh. Si Kuya Stanley, talagang sabi, ready to shoot. Oo, ready to shoot talaga ako. Buti na lang pumasok. God’s grace talaga na pumasok ‘yung tira,” said Hernandez.
The former Mapua standout opted to go for the winner when he drove and took a step back for a three-point shot.
“Pina-practice ko ‘yun eh. Nandoon na siguro ‘yung guts ko,” said Hernandez.
Hernandez’s shots in the final seconds is a reflection of his big role in the team that has been ravaged with injuries with Christian Standhardinger being the latest player who didn’t play for Terrafirma.
“Lesson learned uli. Talo pero learning experience pa rin para sa amin. Short kami sa tao. Maraming injuries. I need to step up. Sinabihan ako ng coaches na walang players so I need to step up talaga along with Tommy Olivario," he said.
“With our veterans, sila Kuya Kevin, sila Kuya Stanley, nandoon naman to support our import. Laban lang."
Hernandez said his college experience as the main guy for Mapua in his college helped him a lot in his trying rookie year where he hasn’t notch a win this conference.
“’Yung transition from college, sobrang laking tulong sa akin. Doon kasi, leader na ako eh. As a veteran, kailangan maging leader sa Mapua. Dito, role player ako. As a point guard, kailangan ko mag-improve and kailangan ko malaman ‘yung strength and witness ng kakampi ko, depende sa binabato sa akin," he said.
“I’m still adjusting. Aminado ako doon. Pero challenge ‘yun so I need to overcome it."
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