By: Jan Marcus Montevirgen
In a twist of fate, Julian Andrei Villanueva finds himself thrust into an unexpected role at a historic moment for National University.
As the Valorant team captain of the Bulldogs, Villanueva is not just preparing for the inaugural UAAP Esports Tournament; he is leading the school into uncharted territory.
This groundbreaking event marks a new chapter for esports in the UAAP, and Villanueva’s leadership could turn this historic opportunity into a defining moment for his school.
“Sobrang nakaka-overwhelm po kasi this is the first time that Valorant will be featured in the UAAP Esports. So, the esports scene will gain more exposure,” said Villanueva during the UAAP Esports Media Day.
Believe it or not, this upcoming tournament marks a series of firsts for the 21-year-old second-year Computer Engineering student.
Adding to the pressure, he has taken on the role of team captain.
“Actually, this is my first time competing and this is my first team as well. So, it’s quite a challenge being a first-timer and a team captain. So, I feel really pressured,” he said.
Despite his experience as a competitor, he is confident in his abilities.
Villanueva has been playing first-person shooter (FPS) games since 2017. The skills he developed over these years are poised to be a significant asset as he represents his school.
“Nag-start po ako noong 2017. Unang laro ko po ay Crossfire, then sumunod ang Special Force, Point Blank, at finally Valorant,” he said.
Initially, Villanueva played games just for fun and never anticipated that gaming would lead him this far.
Being a representative for NU in this historic UAAP Esports tournament will be life-changing for him and his family, as it opens up more opportunities for the future.
“Syempre malaking tulong ‘yon for me, especially for my family, kasi in the future, mas marami akong options na pwedeng kunin at magamit,” Villanueva proudly said.
