ANOTHER PBA player decided to take his act overseas - not in Japan or Korea, but in Hong Kong.
Guard BJ (Bryan Jayson) Andrade signed up with Winling Basketball Club which is seeing action in the Hong Kong A1 Division Championship, the same league where former PBA guest team Hong Kong Eastern competes.
Andrade, a former first-round pick of Converge (No. 10) in the Season 48 draft out of Ateneo, agreed to a three-year deal with the HK-based ball club.
Blackwater coach Pat Aquino confirmed the parting of ways between the Bossing and the 6-foot guard, who, incidentally, was born in Hong Kong.
“Na-release na siya, although alam ko until Sept. pa dapat yung contract niya,” said the veteran mentor about the the nephew of PBA great Danny Ildefonso on Thursday.
“Doon siya ipinanganak kaya he can play there as a local,” he added. “Nagpaalam din naman siya kina boss Dio (Dioceldo Sy) and sa management.”
Andrade takes flight in PBA
The 29-year-old Andrade, winner of four UAAP championships with the Blue Eagles, had to sit out his rookie year with the FiberXers after suffering an ACL injury.
After two seasons with Converge, Blackwater acquired him in a trade for Rey Suerte.
He did get his breaks with the Bossing under former coach Jeff Cariaso, then later with Aquino in the previous Commissioner’s Cup.
In his final PBA conference, Andrade averaged 6.09 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.2 assists.
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