Being a first-round draft pick is already a blessing for Yukien Andrada.
But becoming the first-ever pick of Magnolia under its new head coach LA Tenorio made it all the more special for the talented 24-year-old forward.
“I feel really grateful for [being picked] with the sixth pick in the first round, ni Coach LA,” he said during the PBA Season 50 Draft festivities last Sunday.
The ‘Tinyente’ himself announced Andrada’s name when the Hotshots picked no.6 in the proceedings held at the SM Mall of Asia Music Hall.
That scene signalled that the franchise is ushering in a new era after spending the last nine years under the tutelage of Chito Victolero.
And among those that would surely be part of that fresh start is the San Beda Red Lion, whom Tenorio has grown quite familiar with in the NCAA.
Andrada has an inkling of the identity Magnolia had under Victolero, so he expects some changes will happen under the recently retired star.
“I’m expecting more of a new offensive system with him, and also I think the defensive habits of the team will be changed,” he offered.
The 6-foot-5 cager knows the kind of grind awaiting him in Magnolia, especially since many expect him to inject more size and youth to an aging frontline.
But the presence of a familiar face in Peter Alfaro makes Andrada optimistic that he’d be fitting in nicely with one of the PBA’s traditional contenders.
“I think it would be easier with Peter Alfaro in the team,” he offered,
“Kasi I had been with him in San Beda for, like, three years. And that would be a really great help for me coming into the PBA.”
Together, Andrada and Alfaro could bring their winning mentality to the Hotshots, having copped an NCAA championship with San Beda back in Season 99.
“Ayun talaga ‘yung pinaka hinihintay ko, na mapunta sa team na nagco-contend for the playoffs and also in the Finals,” said the younger brother of Yutien Andrada.
“Ayun naman ‘yung isa kong madadala sa Magnolia. With the championship experience sa college, I think that could be a really big help.”
#WATCH: Yukien Andrada is excited to learn under new Magnolia head coach LA Tenorio 🏀
📹 @justinebacnis /Tiebreaker Times#PBADraft pic.twitter.com/IYYyD0zD9o
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) September 7, 2025
