Barely weeks after winning the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) title for San Beda University, Yukien Andrada will be facing a tougher challenge as he suits up for Magnolia in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup.

Andrada told DAILY TRIBUNE that he is excited to make his professional debut when they face TNT Tropang Giga in a crucial game on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

He said the fact that he will be playing against TNT fires him up as his college coach in Yuri Escueta is part of the coaching staff of Chot Reyes.

“Of course, facing him (Escueta) also in the pros will be exciting. I’ll be going to Magnolia and he’s on TNT, so I think it’ll be a great experience for me also,” said the 6-foot-5 Andrada, who was taken by the Hotshots with the sixth overall pick in the PBA Annual Rookie Draft last November.

“I think I need to improve my dribbling skills and my defensive skills. Those are the things that I think will be crucial in my pro career.”

Andrada stressed that making the transition from college to the professional level had been easy as he got reunited with college teammate Peter Alfaro and Rome dela Rosa, who also played for San Beda nearly 10 years ago.

“Not only in Magnolia, but also in the PBA, seeing some familiar faces there, I think it’s a big help. It also lessens the pressure because you know other people who are on the same team as you,” Andrada said.

“Of course, he’s also my team captain from Season 99. I think he’ll be able to guide me, he’ll be able to help me also with Kuya Rome dela Rosa.”