“I think Yutien [Andrada] is a big piece to our objectives, but unfortunately God has a different plan for us. Even though he cannot participate physically, he will be there emotionally,” shares DLSU Green Archers head coach Gee Abanilla.
The Green Archers suffered a huge setback after starting forward Yutien Andrada was impaired with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear on his left knee. Andrada was injured last May 9 in the first half of La Salle’s preseason match-up against the Lyceum Pirates and it is his second time to suffer from the devastating injury.
The usual ACL tear takes an estimated six months to heal, and Andrada will be missing the entire UAAP Season 76. Two years prior, the former San Sebastian Staglet also missed portions of UAAP Season 74 when he first incurred an ACL tear on his right knee.
Andrada is known for his defensive contributions, especially in the blocks department, and is a sound offensive player with a knack for cutting to the hoop then receiving a well-timed drop pass. The unfavorable loss of Andrada will leave Abanilla without his most senior ward, who has been playing for the Green Archers since 2009.
“Yutien is a really big focal point to our team, especially with him being a senior,” says rookie Jason Perkins, Andrada’s possible replacement in the starting line-up. “Nobody can replace what he did, [as] he can do a lot, like blocking shots. He’s a really good player and since he got hurt, I’ve been trying to work a lot harder, ‘cause everyone’s got to work a lot harder to fill what’s left out.”
Abanilla also remarks on how much the team values Andrada and what he has done thus far. “Our team is very close to each other and they feel for Yutien. Somehow they want to dedicate their games to him. We know he worked really hard to be where he is physically. Actually he gained 20 pounds [in preparation for the season] already.”
It is not all glum news though, as Andrada is still eligible for the UAAP in 2014 since he will not yet exceed the age limit of the league. According to reports from the team, the lanky forward will not forego his last year of eligibility and will possibly come back to the Green Archers next year. Having lost Andrada for the season, the Green Archers will be looking forward to the younger players stepping up and filling in the void left by one of their leaders.
