UST's Imee Hernandez earns UAAP Player of the Week honors after dropping career-high vs Ateneo

University of Santo Tomas' middle blocker Imee Hernandez dropped a career-high outing as the Golden Tigresses imposed their will against Ateneo de Manila University to improve their Final Four chances.

With her strong performance, Hernandez earned the citation as the Collegiate Press Corps UAAP Player of the Week presented by San Miguel Corporation and Philippine Sports Commission with MNL Kingpin, Tinapayan Festival, and Jockey as minor sponsors.

Hernandez erupted for 24 points anchored on 19 attacks, three blocks, and two service aces as UST sent Ateneo to the brink of elimination, 25-22, 25-20, 27-29, 25-21.

She helped lead the Golden Tigresses to their third straight win as they rose to an 8-3 win-loss card, tying Adamson University and defending champion National University at No. 2.

Hernandez bested other candidates in teammate Eya Laure, La Salle’s Angel Canino, Ateneo’s Faith Nisperos, and reigning MVP Bella Belen of NU for the citation handed out by print and online scribes covering the beat from April 12 to 16.

"'Yung mindset ko talagang gawin lang 'yung role ko, kung ano 'yung dapat kong gawin sa loob ng court and syempre ipakita 'yung maturity na dapat mayroon kaming mga seniors," said Hernandez.

"Hindi titigil, hindi kami masa-satisfy sa ganito lang. Kailangan malampasan namin palagi. Sabi ni coach [Kungfu Reyes] kailangan everyday nalalampasan mo 'yung ginawa mo today."

("My mindset is to just perform my role, whatever I have to do on the court, and of course,show the maturity that we should have as seniors... We won't stop, we won't be satisfied with this. We should always improve. Like coach said, everyday you should exceed what you did today.")

This marks the second week in a row that a Tigress won the weekly citation, as Laure earned the honor for the period of March 29 to April 2, before the UAAP took a break for the Holy Week.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News