SAN Beda’s champion juniors core was supposed to be its hopefully title-winning seniors core as well - that’s how it has always been in Mendiola.
But of the Big 3 that won for the Red Cubs their last juniors crown in 2019, only Yukien Andrada finished his full five years for the Red Lions.
At the end of it all, though, only Andrada has two championships under his belt, the first being a key contributor in Season 99 and the second standing as team captain in Season 101.
READ: Undeniable San Beda sweeps Letran to win NCAA title No. 24
Coming off the red-and-white's dominant juniors title in Season 95, Andrada, Justine Sanchez, and Tony Ynot wasted no time moving up to their seniors squad, staying together as teammates in Season 97. (EDITOR'S NOTE: There were no Season 96 tournaments due to the COVID-19 pandemic.)
Right after their rookie seasons, however, internal complications played out, with Sanchez and Ynot ultimately deciding to take their talents to Benilde.
Andrada, though? He stayed - and he had no doubts about it.
"Not even once. Zero percent. I'm that loyal to San Beda. I really wanted to stay in San Beda," he answered through goosebumps when asked by SPIN.ph if he ever thought about joining his good friends in Taft.
San Beda's leg up over the competition had long been having an ever-reliable pipeline from high school to college, set in stone by legendary shot-caller Ato Badolato. That foundation got rocked during the pandemic and in Boyet Fernandez' last year as head coach, unfortunately, and a seismic shift took place.
Amid all the uncertainty, Andrada kept the faith in his alma mater - and the program that took a chance on him in the first place.
"They were the ones who gave me the opportunity. I just wanna give back to them. By showing how we play, how I play, giving them championships, that's what I really want," he said.
"I want to play for San Beda and I will always play for San Beda."
Go to San Beda, fight for San Beda
Enter Yuri Escueta as homecoming mentor in 2022, and the ship got steadied once more. Three years later, they landed in treasure island and hit gold twice over.
"I'm just happy na even though they left me here, no hard feelings of course, for me, staying in San Beda was the right move, the greatest move I made in my career," he said.
"Todo suporta sa'kin family, friends, lahat, and it paid off. Staying in San Beda, blessing siya para sa'kin."
Through it all, there was Andrada. There was the Red Cub turned Red Lion. There was the sweet-shooting forward who never left the den.
He was the one who made sure the standard returned to the gold standard. He was the one who stood as welcoming committee into San Beda's winning culture for fresh recruits and transferees alike.
"First of all, when you wear this (San Beda) jersey, there's a big expectation sa'yo na you cannot lose. Always aim for the win and for the championship," he said.
"I think teaching the young guys showing up in practice early, showing up to the court early. For me na galing akong Red Cubs and I've been doing that since high school, malaking bagay yun na nakikita ng mga dumadating sa Beda na I'm really working hard every day. That's one of the ways I'm showing how a Beda should be."
Indeed, from high school standout Nygel Gonzales to Fil-Am import Janti Miller, there was Andrada who showed how things were done in San Beda - and how it should always be done.
Whether that be being physically prepared or emotionally and mentally primed, it was he who showed the way; more pointedly, the red-and-white way.
It was his decision. It was his conviction.
"Ora et labora, prayer and work. That's also one of the things that a Red Lion should stand for," he said.
Now, Andrada's playing career with the Animo spirit has come to a close, and he moves on to a new personal challenge of making an impact in the PBA with Magnolia.
Without a doubt, he will take it head-on, without questions on his work ethic and will to win.
San Beda readied him for all of this - and in turn, he gave his all for the Red Cubs then the Red Lions.
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