Rafael "Paing" Hechanova Sr. (July 8, 1928 – August 26, 2021) was a Filipino basketball player who competed in the 1952 Summer Olympics.

Rafael "Paing" Hechanova was born on July 8, 1928, in the then-city of Jaro in Iloilo province.

[1][2] Shortly after World War II, Hechanova played varsity basketball for the University of Santo Tomas's (UST) Glowing Goldies under coach Herminio Silva in the UAAP.

He was considered for inclusion in the country's roster for the 1954 FIBA World Championship, but Hechanova already decided to retire and pursue a career in architecture having just passed the board exam at that time.

[8] Cecil Hechanova, the founding chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission, was also Rafael's brother.