After one-and-done UAAP season, Luis Villegas open to playing anywhere

UE Red Warriors’ Luis Villegas. –Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—After finishing his one-and-done year with University of the East, Luis Villegas is still exploring his next options.

Villegas, who was proclaimed a member of the UAAP Season 85 men’s basketball tournament mythical five on Wednesday, revealed he is open to playing anywhere after a stellar season in the UAAP.

“Preferably, it would be here. But if there are other options, then I’d have to take that into consideration,” said the 6-foot-8 big man.

For now, though, the Fil-American is looking to spend time with his family abroad before making an official decision.

“I still wanna go home and visit my family first. But I know I’ll be deciding soon. So it’s coming.”

Villegas averaged 13.1 points and 8.1 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 0.8 blocks per outing, the most out of any Red Warriors player this season. 

Joining the star big in the league’s five best players are Ateneo’s Dave Ildefonso and Forthsky Padrigao and University of the Philippines’ Carl Tamayo and newly minted MVP Malick Diouf.

As Villegas adds a new hardware to his collection, he credited coach Jack Santiago and the rest of UE’s coaching staff.

“[I’m] very grateful for my teammates, for the community. This isn’t just an individual award. I think of this as a team award for UE. So, I’m just grateful,” he said.