For the first time since turning professional, BJ Andrade is stepping outside the PBA in search of something that has continued to slip through his grasp—a championship.
The former Ateneo standout is taking his career to Hong Kong after securing an unconditional release from Blackwater, allowing him to sign a three-year contract with A1 League club Winling.
The move offers Andrade more than just a new jersey. It gives the 27-year-old guard an opportunity to return to the city where he was born while embracing a new challenge as a local player in one of Hong Kong’s top basketball leagues.
Before beginning his overseas chapter, Andrade made sure to acknowledge the league and the organization that helped him reach this point.
“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.”
Andrade’s PBA journey was filled with adjustments.
After being selected 10th overall by Converge in the 2023 PBA Draft, he spent two seasons with the FiberXers before being dealt to Blackwater in exchange for Rey Suerte.
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A new chapter begins.
Former Ateneo standout and PBA first-round pick BJ Andrade is taking his talents overseas, signing with Hong Kong’s Winling Basketball Club.
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Although his stint with the Bossing lasted only one conference, it provided him with another chance to showcase his versatility. Andrade appeared in 11 games and averaged 6.1 points per contest before an unexpected opportunity knocked from overseas.
Now, Winling becomes the next destination for the former Blue Eagle.
The Hong Kong club finished fifth in last season’s A1 League standings and is hoping Andrade can help strengthen its backcourt as it pursues its first league championship since 2015.
For Andrade, however, the motivation extends beyond simply changing teams.
He sees the move as an opportunity to carry Filipino basketball onto another stage while pursuing the one achievement still missing from his résumé.
“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.
“I won in high school and college. Sana soon, champion na rin as a pro.”
After winning titles with Ateneo in college and enjoying success earlier in his basketball career, Andrade now begins a new pursuit—one that he hopes finally ends with his first professional crown, this time in the city where his story first began.
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