Herndon motivated to play alongside league’s top guards at Star

Robbie Herndon. Photo by Randolph B. Leongson/ INQUIRER.net

From the get-go, Robbie Herndon knew which team he wanted to go to.

Though GlobalPort drafted him sixth in the 2017 PBA Rookie Draft, it didn’t take long before the Fil-Am swingman’s wish came true when he was shipped by the Batang Pier, together with fourth rounder Gian Abrigo, to the Hotshots for ninth overall pick Lervin Flores, and second rounders Joseph Gabayni and Julian Sargent.

“This is a team I wanted to go to. My heart wanted me to end up in Purefoods and God-willing, it ended up happening. I’m excited and I’m super grateful,” he said.

Known as an ace gunner, Herndon will be forced to explore another facet of his game as he joins a Star squad where coach Chito Victolero has put a premium on defense.

And this early, the 24-year-old is welcoming the task at hand.

“The coach wants his team to play defense, so that’s what I’ll focus on,” he said. “I’ll focus on learning the system, jelling with the players, and learn from everybody from the team.  I’m an offensive player, but I can also play on the other side of the court. I guess it’s time to up my defense a little bit and focus on that.”

Herndon is also raring to prove himself to the Hotshots faithful as he seeks to find his niche behind lead guards Paul Lee, Mark Barroca, and Peter June Simon.

“It’s a huge motivation when you know that you can play with the top players and you feel like you belong with them at the top. It’s a motivation for me to use to keep working hard and I wanted to prove that I can play among the best,” the 6-foot-3 scorer said.