YUKIEN Andrada insisted he was surprised to see substantial action right in his pro debut for Magnolia in the team’s final elimination-round game in the PBA 50th Season Philippine Cup on Sunday.
He still played like he was ready for it.
A week after helping San Beda rule NCAA Season 101 at the expense of Letran in the finals, the sixth overall pick in this year’s rookie draft suited up for the Hotshots and was one of the few bright spots in their 94-83 loss to TNT.
READ It's SMB vs NLEX, Meralco vs ROS, Ginebra vs Converge, Magnolia vs TNT
Andrada was one of four double-digit scorers for Magnolia, putting up 12 points, although he made just three of his 14 shots from the field. He also came one rebound shy of a double-double and completed his statline with one assist and zero turnover in over 24 minutes.
“I wasn't expecting to play this long in this game,” Andrada said, sharing what playing coach LA Tenorio told him in practice on the eve of his debut. “We had a talk yesterday na just be ready. It's not going to be the same as your San Beda days na you're going to be playing thirty, forty minutes.”
“So I was just getting my mindset na if coach LA doesn't play me, or if he plays me out, I'll be ready. And if he doesn't play me, I'll be ready to cheer for my teammates,” he added.
Tenorio showed his trust in the 6-foot-5 wingman right away.
Only Zavier Lucero, Mark Barroca, and Ian Sangalang played more minutes than the Andrada, who came off the bench, but closed the game for the Hotshots.
Tenorio even drew up a late play during a timeout to make Andrada open to take a four-point shot that would’ve cut their deficit to three.
He missed with 31 seconds left.
“I didn't adjust easily. I practiced with them one day, kahapon lang actually,” Andrada said. “Sila pa nga nag-adjust for me, actually. Coach LA told me that whatever I do on the court, my teammates will adjust for me.”
“And I think the confidence na nabibigay sa’kin ng teammates, they encourage me to just, if I'm open, take those shots. And Coach LA, too. So, that's what I did. And hopefully, I'll make those shots next time. I think I shot poorly this game.”
Good thing Andrada already has Tenorio’s trust.
“We’ll definitely use him,” Tenorio said. “He’s a big key to our team moving forward. I’m looking forward to having him, 'yung mahabang preparation.”
It’s up to the promising rookie to make the most out of it.
“I think the trust that he has on me, I really saw that. And I think gusto ko talaga suklian yung ganung klase ng trust na binibigay sa’kin,” Andrada said.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
