BJ Andrade is heading to Hong Kong.
The 6-foot guard from Ateneo de Manila University secured his unconditional release from Blackwater on Thursday, paving the way for him to sign a three-year contract with A1 League club Winling.
Andrade, 27, expressed his gratitude to the Bossing management for allowing him to pursue the opportunity overseas.
“Sobrang grateful ako sa PBA kasi ever since nag-start ako mag-basketball, pangarap ko na maglaro dun. At na-develop ko ang sarili ko sa liga at nakalaro ako ng mga idol ko dati,” Andrade told Tiebreaker Times.
“Sa Blackwater, sobrang thankful ako kasi nabigyan ako ng opportunity na ipakita yung kaya kong gawin, and napaka-understanding nila when I brought up the offer from Winling. And they just wanted what was best for me.”
(C) PBA Images
Andrade was selected 10th overall by Converge in the 2023 PBA Draft.
After spending two seasons with the FiberXers, he was traded to Blackwater in exchange for Rey Suerte.
In his lone conference with the Bossing, Andrade appeared in 11 games and averaged 6.1 points per outing.
His move to Winling marks a homecoming of sorts, as he will suit up as a local player after being born in Hong Kong.
Winling finished fifth in the A1 League last season, and Andrade hopes the next chapter of his career will help him elevate his game while chasing the one accomplishment that has eluded him as a professional.
“I’m very happy and lucky because I was born in Hong Kong and local ako dito. Kahit papaano, nagkaroon ako ng opportunity to play outside the Philippines. Goal ko dito is to bring Filipino basketball to Hong Kong kahit papaano, make a name for myself here, and win a championship. Never pa kasi akong nag-champion as a pro, and you know me — I’m a winner,” he said, as he joins a team that last captured the A1 League title in 2015.
“I won in high school and college. Sana soon, champion na rin as a pro.”
