Yukien Andrada had a memorable game-winning shot for Marinerong Pilipino – San Beda University against rival Wangs Strikers Letran in the 2023 PBA D-League Aspirants Cup on Tuesday.
Tied at 87-all with 0.5 seconds left in the contest, Andrada found himself open near the corner and confidently sank a booming triple to seal the win.
The 6-foot-5 stalwart said that he didn’t hesitate to take the shot because head coach Yuri Escueta designed the play for him and Jacob Cortez.
As the ball came to him, it was an unexpected leap of faith that his shot went in.
“Wala, ano kasi .5 seconds na lang, so if I get it talaga sabi ko, bahala na titira ko talaga ‘to eh,” said the former Gilas U-16 member.
“And coach Yuri drew a play talaga for me and Jacob Cortez, so either one of us takes the pass from Peter [Alfaro], we’re gonna shoot it talaga, and it just went in.”
In the first two minutes of the third quarter, San Beda was down by 10, 36-46. However, the Skippers managed to reduce the deficit to two as Andrada, Cortez, Damie Cuntapay, and Clifford Jopia led a 15-7 run.
Andrada said they trusted and executed Escueta’s game plan, especially his teammates who played their hearts out to secure the win.
He was left speechless by taking the shot, and it was a reflection of his charisma shining through in the game.
(C) PBA Images
“It was a really close game talaga. Yun nga, nalamangan pa nga kami nung third quarter, we were down by 10 points, we just played to Coach Yuri’s game plan on defense,” he recalled.
“We played talaga because Letran ‘yung kalaban namin, so all of our guys played with their hearts talaga. And ‘yung last shot naman, wala… I don’t know, I don’t know what to say talaga, I guess… big balls,” Andrada continued.
Escueta praised Andrada for his heroics in the game and expressed his happiness for both Andrada and Cortez for leading the way.
“Sabi ko sa kanya, sa kanya talaga eh. And Yuki kasi is a smart player, binasa kung saan pumunta ‘yung tao niya eh, pumalo eh kaya medyo pumwesto siya dun sa weak side, pero sa kanya talaga yun [shot] eh,” said Escueta.
“So very happy na naglaro si Jacob ng ganyan at the same time si Yuki has been really consistent, very happy for them, very happy for the team.”
Meanwhile, Andrada expressed his gratitude for his head coach’s credit and mentorship throughout, boosting his confidence to play.
He knows that his head coach needs him and Cortez to step up their game as the likes of James Kwekuteye, JB Bahio, and JV Gallego have already departed the Red Lions’ den.
“I appreciate ‘yung [sinabi] ni coach siyempre, alam ko naman na marami kaming nawalang players tulad nina kuya JB Bahio and James Kwekuteye,” the junior big man expressed.
“So, I think coach really needs… especially me and Jacob Cortez to really step up our game this coming season talaga, so thank you kay coach Yuri na he’s giving me all of this confidence this preseason talaga.”
San Beda and Letran will face each other again on June 6 in the 2023 FilOil EcoOil Preseason Cup, and who knows if the Red Lions will continue their mastery against the Knights.
