Reserved Fernandez lets out true emotions in NLEX win

As soon as Ronald Pascual's jumper swished through the net at the buzzer, North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) coach Boyet Fernandez showed everyone what he truly feels with their Game 2 win in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) D-League Foundation Cup. Fernandez, who was Sta. Lucia's outside gunner when the Realtors were still part of the PBA, ran inside the court, celebrating like a football player who just scored the game-winning goal. The emotions that the one-time University of the Philippines coach showed during the Road Warriors' win was in stark contrast to the normally reserved and humble aura he displays every game. "It's a wonderful feeling but I give credit to my boys. I do salute them. Without them, I wouldn't win a championship. This championship is for my players and for my bosses," said Fernandez, who does not want to get the sole credit for NLEX's title win in the league's inaugural season. In many ways, the D-League Foundation Cup that NLEX won proved that Fernandez will deliver once given the materials. Fernandez gave Sta. Lucia its second crown after a team led by Kelly Williams, Ryan Reyes and Dennis Espino defeated Purefoods in a tough seven-game championship series for the 2007-08 PBA Philippine Cup. Fernandez failed to defend the title the following year and could only steer Sta. Lucia to a third-place finish in the 34th season before the Realtors called it quits in the pro league when the franchise was later sold to Meralco in 2010. He then accepted the position as the UP Fighting Maroons' consultant in the 73rd UAAP where he later replaced Aboy Castro as coach early in the season. The 2010 season was a forgettable one for Fernandez after the Maroons failed to win a single game. He was then hired by NLEX to coach a star-studded squad, which was favored to win the inaugural staging of the PBA's developmental league. The Road Warriors already have collegiate stars Pascual, Calvin Abueva and Pamboy Raymundo - who all played for San Sebastian College in the NCAA - in its roster then also acquired three-time UAAP champion Eric Salamat along with Filipino-Americans Cliff Hodge and Chris Ellis. With so much depth in NLEX's roster, the only way for Fernandez not to win the crown is if he cracks under pressure. "(Coaching in the D-League) was a learning experience for me. It taught me a lot in dealing with players and executing the game plan. I learned a lot as a coach with this stint," said Fernandez. Fernandez found it hard to compare his first championship with Sta. Lucia and the Foundation Cup crown with NLEX. "The All-Filipino Cup title with Sta. Lucia will always be remembered but for NLEX, it's history in the making. It's my second championship and my first in the amateur league. Both are memorable," Fernandez ended. - JVP, GMA News