Carlos Villar: A Dream Delayed, Not Denied

For Carlos Villar, the road to the UAAP wasn’t the typical straight climb most young players imagine. It was a path shaped by patience, small beginnings, and setbacks that test how badly you want something.

Coming out of high school, Carlos already had a vision of where he wanted to be.

“It was UP and FEU that was on my mind,” he said. 

UP didn’t work out, but FEU did. After he reached out to the coaches in May and finally got a response two months later. By 2020, he earned a spot with the Tamaraws, and the UAAP dream seemed within reach.

But a couple of years later, things changed.

He found out through social meda that he was no longer on the team. 

“Nalaman ko na may final lineup na through my teammates’ social media posts,” he shared.

The discovery hit harder than he imagined. The silence made it sting.

“My dream of playing UAAP football was shattered… it was one of my biggest setbacks.”

Most athletes would’ve stepped away. Carlos didn’t.

“Ever since bata ako, passionate talaga ako sa football… I always knew I had a future in football,” he said. So he stayed involved playing in amateur leagues, and later, coaching kids who were starting their own journeys in the sport.

Coaching opened his eyes in a new way.

“It helped me see football from different angles—positioning, attitude, even the importance of basic drills,” he said. Those lessons reshaped him. They made him calmer, more aware, and more intentional with his growth.

In 2023, the 23 year old defender tried applying to several universities again, but most weren’t accepting transferees. It felt like another door closing. But in 2024, things shifted.

“Si Coach Frank (Muescan) na yung head coach ng UEMFT… I’ve been previously under him sa ADA, and thankfully he gave me this opportunity,” Carlos said.

With a familiar coach and a fresh chance, he walked into the UE tryouts with a different mindset.

“Back in FEU, I got too relaxed. Sa UE, I made sure na I’d be at the best of my abilities and show the coaches that I deserve to be part of the lineup.”

He earned his place.

This season, wearing red for the first time in the UAAP, Carlos finally stepped onto the stage he had been chasing for years.

“It’s really fulfilling to finally make my debut… As a team, we have a lot of potential moving forward,” he said.

The season wasn’t easy, but for him, it was rich in lessons.

“There were a lot of learning opportunities gained from the struggles of this season.”

Looking back, he doesn’t highlight one moment. He takes the entire journey as it is.

“Every step shaped me to be the person I am today… With patience, perseverance, and faith, you can overcome anything with Him and rise stronger.”

And now that he’s where he once thought he’d never stand again, he’s also looking ahead.

“Going pro is definitely the end goal,” he shared. Coaching is also something he sees himself doing down the line, maybe part-time now, maybe full-time when his playing years are done.

Today, Carlos stands as proof that the UAAP dream doesn’t always arrive on schedule. Sometimes it takes a detour. Sometimes it takes heartbreak.

But when the dream finds its way back, it’s exactly when you’re ready for it.

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