wanted any rewards added to my BA account
If you want to add their rewards to your BA account, you specifically do not want the Cathay Pacific account to be added to your bookings and don't need the Cathay account for anything whatsoever.
If you don't yet have a booking, it's no problem. If you have already booked, you will need to use Manage My Booking with another airline (I recommend Finnair) to switch your frequent flyer number.