Big James Yap fan Yukien Andrada comes full circle as Magnolia's first-round pick

The 2012 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals Game 7 between B-Meg and Talk ’N Text still lives rent-free in Yukien Andrada’s mind.

Growing up a huge James Yap fan, Andrada — now the cornerstone of San Beda in the NCAA — rarely missed a B-Meg game on television, always eager to watch his longtime idol alongside PJ Simon and Marc Pingris, who made up the iconic 'Big Three' of that era.

But that epic do-or-die clash at the Araneta Coliseum on May 6, 2012 stood out above all, becoming the defining highlight of his childhood as a basketball fan.

With the championship on the line and Talk ’N Text holding on to a two-point lead in the final 12.3 seconds, 76-74, B-Meg import Denzel Bowles calmly sank two clutch free throws to force overtime. The Llamados went on to complete the comeback, 90-84, and hoisted the crown.

13 years later, Yukien Andrada is set to represent the same franchise after being selected sixth overall by Magnolia in the PBA Season 50 Rookie Draft.

"Siguro ‘yung favorite ko sa B-Meg ay ‘yung Game 7 against Talk ’N Text. ‘Yung kay Denzel Bowles. I remember pinapanood ko ‘yun sa TV," Andrada told GMA News Online.

"Big fan talaga ako ng team na 'yan. Kaso nga lang hindi ako nakapanood live, laging sa TV lang."

[I guess my favorite with B-Meg is Game 7 against Talk 'N Text, the one with Denzel Bowles. I remember watching that on TV... I was a really big fan of the team. But I could never watch live, always just on TV.]

The graduating Andrada said he particulary idolized Yap, whose scoring prowess and overall style of play captured his heart as a young fan.

"Ang naabutan kong players nila sila James Yap, PJ Simon, at Marc Pingris pero ang idol ko talaga is si James Yap," Andrada added.

‘Yung scoring abilities niya, the way he plays, eh nu’ng bata ako namamangha talaga ako sa mga gano’ng laro niya. 'Man with a Million Moves' ‘yung nickname niya."

[The players I watched were James Yap, PJ Simon, and Marc Pingris, but my idol really is James Yap... His scoring abilities, the way he plays, I was in awe of that when I was young. He was nickname was 'Man with a Million Moves.']

But while he can't wait to finally wear the Magnolia colors and reunite with his fellow San Beda products Peter Alfaro and Rome dela Rosa, Andrada said his focus remains with the Red Lions, who are tipped to open a new campaign in NCAA Season 101 next week. 

Andrada is out to end his college career as a champion again and the Mendiola crew is hungry for redemption following a semifinals exit last year. 

"Nakausap naman ako nila (Magnolia coach LA Tenorio) about that na i-prioritize ko muna ‘yung NCAA and let me finish my commitment with San Beda and ayun, thankful ako sa gano’ng usapan. They gave me that permission."

[I had a chat with Coach LA about that, that I was going to prioritize NCAA first and let me finish my commitment with San Beda, and I was thankful for that kind of talk. They gave me that permission.]

—JMB, GMA Integrated News