With her eligibility for the UAAP Season 89 women’s basketball tournament still up for appeal, Kayla Williams hopes to remain a key piece for the University of Santo Tomas, albeit in a different role.
Williams, a 23-year-old big from San Diego, California, was recruited by the Growling Tigresses in the offseason after earning her Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences – Fitness Wellness degree from Northern Arizona University.
She has already played for UST in preseason tournaments and was also featured in the team’s media day ahead of the UAAP season.
However, Williams was deemed ineligible for Season 89, a decision that the Growling Tigresses are now appealing before the UAAP Board.
“As of right now, I know that UST is trying very hard to appeal it. And that’s just what we’re going with right now. That’s all the knowledge I have,” said the former NCAA Division I athlete.
According to information available online from her previous schools, Williams played two years at Palomar College from 2021 to 2023, two years at A&M Texarkana from 2023 to 2025, and one year at NAU from 2025 to 2026.
Despite the setback in what could have been her first foray into Philippine basketball, Williams remains motivated and has continued to provide insights from the bench.
She did so during UST’s 103-58 thrashing of the University of the East on Saturday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“I don’t know if you saw, but before the game I’m still in the warm-up, helping them out. I feel like whether I’m on the court or not, I still bring a lot of energy to my team. And I’m always going to bring positive energy no matter what I’m doing with basketball in a different world,” said Williams, whose Filipino mother traces her roots to Cavite.
“So I’m just going to continue bringing them energy and helping them out with what I see off the court. Because there are a lot of things you don’t see when you’re on the court that you can see off the court. So during the game, I’ll keep letting them know what I see and just keep helping out with the little things that I can help with,” she added.
UST will next face Adamson University on Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Blue Eagle Gym, where the Tigresses will continue to await the outcome of their appeal regarding Williams’ eligibility.
