After spending her offseason battling Asia’s best in Gilas Pilipinas Women colors, all eyes were on Far Eastern University’s Yvette Villanueva heading into the UAAP Season 88 Women’s Basketball Tournament.
Expectations were sky-high — and the pressure, unrelenting.
The 24-year-old center, who joined the Gilas pool alongside UST’s Kent Pastrana, gained invaluable experience representing the country in the 2025 Jones Cup (fifth place) and the FIBA Women’s Asia Cup (sixth place).
But when the UAAP season tipped off, that same international confidence didn’t immediately translate.
Villanueva struggled to find her footing in the first round. She averaged just 5.71 points on 30-percent shooting, with 5.29 rebounds, 1.29 assists, 0.86 blocks, and 0.71 steals per game.
Yet amid the slump, Villanueva drew strength from the lessons she learned on the international stage.
“Sa Gilas, hindi ako masyado nagkaroon ng time, but nakita ko yung intensity lalo dahil international stage siya. Grabe yung kalaban and everything,” the Imus, Cavite native shared.
That experience was coupled with the composure instilled by Gilas mentor Pat Aquino and veteran Jack Animam.
Villanueva finally broke through last Sunday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion. She delivered her best performance of the season to lead FEU past the struggling University of the Philippines.
The 6-foot center powered the Lady Tamaraws with 23 points on an efficient 7-of-13 clip — 15 coming in the first half — while adding eight rebounds, three steals, and a block.
With her breakout game, FEU tightened its grip on solo fourth place with a 4-4 record, gaining a crucial one-game cushion over De La Salle University and Adamson University, both at 3-5.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
“Kung paano maglaro sila Ate, na-experience ko rin yung nararanasan nila by watching them kung gaano ka-physical and kung paano sila lumaban. Siguro yung nadala ko dito is to stay calm tapos gawin lang yung pinagawa ni coaches,” Villanueva added.
Villanueva credited second-year head coach Raiza Palmera-Dy and her teammates for helping her shake off the early jitters and rediscover her joy on the court.
Admittedly stiff during the season’s opening stretch, Villanueva said she has since learned to loosen up and play with confidence, thanks to her team’s faith in her growth.
“Yun nga po, pinaghahandaan namin ito araw-araw sa training — pinaghihirapan namin ito. And very thankful ako kay coach Raiza sa pasensya sa amin tuwing training,” she said.
“Alam ko this second round, mahirap talaga kasi masca-scout ka and lahat ng galaw mo, makikita na nila online and recorded video.”
And as for her newfound ease on the court? It’s all part of her renewed mindset.
“Sa akin ngayon, kineep ko lang na loose yung performance ko. Nag-eenjoy lang talaga ako kasi parang nung mga past few games, sobrang tight ko and parang dahil may iba na nakaka-score sa amin. Pero ngayon, I kept it loose so siguro kaya naka-score ako ng ganyan,” she concluded.
