Paolo Hernandez remained non-committal on his fate with Mapua University, stressing he is uncertain whether he will return for NCAA Season 100 in what would be his final playing year for the Cardinals.
The 6-foot-3 forward bared the development on the heels of Mapua's heartbreaking Game 3 loss to San Beda University last Sunday, where they collapsed late in the fourth quarter to surrender to the Red Lions, 66-76.
"Let’s see kung anong mangyari. Unsure pa ako," Hernandez told GMA News Online.
(Let's see what will happen. I'm still unsure.)
Asked what would be his potential destination should he opt to forego his final year, Hernandez said, "Lahat naman kaming players pinapangarap namin maging professional player so I’m looking at that na maging pro. Tignan natin kung ano ‘yung magiging next step ko."
(All of us players dream of being a professional player so I'm looking at turning pro. Let's see my next step.)
Regardless of whether he'll still be donning the Mapua colors next year or not, Hernandez is sure of one thing — the Cardinals will remain as contenders in the league's centennial season.
With team captain Warren Bonifacio and improved big man Jopet Soriano bidding the team goodbye, the core of Mapua is tipped to be intact with reigning Rookie MVP Clint Escamis leading the way for head coach Randy Alcantara.
Providing Escamis with the huge boost are incoming sophomores Peter Rosillo and JC Recto, as well as other rising cagers in Marc Cuenco, Kobe Dalisay, and Jeco Bancale.
"Grabe ‘yung future ng team na ‘to kasi halos lahat sophomores at rookies. Maganda ‘yung future ng Mapua," added Hernandez, who was the team's third best scorer with 9.55 points on top of 5.09 rebounds, 2.91 assists, and 1.05 steals.
"Nandiyan sila para iangat ‘yung Mapua ulit and next season, tignan natin kasi magiging matured na sila lalo na with this experience. For me, competitor ‘yan next season."
(The future of this team is amazing because many are sophomores and rookies. The future looks good for Mapua. They are there to lift Mapua again and next season, let's see if they'll be more matured, especially with this experience. For me, they are competitors next season.)
Hernandez added that their championship round defeat at the hands of San Beda will definitely be the fuel of the Cardinals next season as they look to end decades-long title drought.
"Wala namang perpektong games at players. Para sa San Beda talaga ‘yon and it’s a learning experience for us itong tough loss, where we were up sa series pero ganito ‘yung nangyari," he added.
"Thankful pa rin kay God para sa experience na ‘to and dadalhin namin kung saan man kami mapunta."
(There are no perfect games and players. It really was for San Beda and this tough loss is a learning experience for us. We were up in the series but we lost. Still thankful to God for this experience and we will bring this wherever we will go.)
—JKC, GMA Integrated News
