National University has added a civil engineer to its lineup for the upcoming UAAP Season 86.
Patrick Yu, who still has two years of eligibility for the Bulldogs, was one of the 5,887 passers in the board exams for civil engineers.
“I feel blessed and thankful that the Lord gave me this opportunity. It really feels good that my hard work paid off,” said the younger brother of former Bulldog Dave, also a licensed engineer.
The 6-foot-3 playmaker had been away from the blue-and-gold squad for the last four months for review but was coming off a breakout season where he averaged 4.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 16 minutes.
He proved to be their heady sixth man who steadied the ship either as a substitute or alongside streaky guards Kean Baclaan and Steve Nash Enriquez.
Yu will remain a fixture of the Bulldogs’ backcourt that also features Jake Figueroa and John Galinato while also adding the no. 3-ranked high school player, according to the National Basketball Training Center, Reinhard Jumamoy, RJ Colonia (NBTC no. 17), Pervy Timbang, and Bobby Mark Parks.
He also follows in the footsteps of his older brother Dave Wilson Yu, who was himself a reliable reserve for National U before becoming a licensed civil engineer.
“I can attest to the NU saying that goes: ‘Education that works.’
“All the knowledge I gained from college helped me during my review season,” said Yu.
“Proud kami, siyempre, kay Pat, at even kay Dave before, kasi pinatunayan nilang student and athlete kami rito sa NU. Looking forward kaming lahat makalaro ulit ang isang engineer,” said head coach Jeff Napa.
In the 23-year-old’s breakout last season, the Bulldogs entered the Final Four for the first time since 2015 with a 9-5 record before falling to eventual runner-up University of the Philippines.
They hope to end their nine-year title drought in the coming UAAP Season 86.
