Most players end their senior year in the colors they started with, but Renz Villegas’ story required a different palette. Standing tall in blue, Villegas proves that while a jersey identifies the team, the heart inside it identifies the champion.

A Grade 12 student from Centro Escolar Integrated School (CEIS), Villegas, was not at all expecting that his last year in high school would result in him being in a different school’s color. But after presenting his talent at MACIPRISA 2025, the La Consolacion University of the Philippines (LCUP) Men’s Volleyball Team picked Villegas to strengthen their squad for City Meet 2025.

For Villegas, volleyball is still a relatively young chapter in his life. He only started playing two years ago, with formal training beginning just last year in preparation for MACIPRISA.

His growth, however, was fueled beyond school walls—through barangay leagues, small tournaments, and inter-barangay competitions where experience was earned the hard way. “Sa mga players sa barangay namin talaga ako pinakamaraming natutunan,” Villegas shared. 

Those courts became his foundation, and the players who guided him shaped his confidence and discipline. “Parang ‘yun talaga naging starting point ko, and thankful ako sa kanila kasi nandun sila para i-guide ako noon.”

His final playing year was anything but easy. CEIS fell short against LCUP, settling for first runner-up, a result that initially closed the door to City Meet participation, since only champions advanced. The loss weighed heavily on Villegas, knowing it was his last chance to compete at that level.

But when the season was believed to be finished, a door of opportunity opened.

“Sobrang thankful ko kay Lord kasi binunot ako ng LCUP,” he said, recalling the moment he learned he would still be part of City Meet—this time, wearing blue. What followed was a championship run that silenced doubts and rewrote his ending.

Joining a new system came with pressure. Villegas admitted he feared underperforming since he did not want to be seen as a wasted pick, aware that being chosen meant expectations were high. Fortunately, a friendly coach and encouraging teammates made the transition easy for him and he gradually transformed his fears into motivation.

Training, however, was a different story. LCUP’s program was more intense, more demanding, and time was limited wherein every session required full commitment, every drill pushed players to their limits. Still, Villegas and the team went all out and it paid off.

The toughest test came during the finals when LCUP’s team captain and main scorer went down with an injury. Seeing their captain break down in their room only strengthened their determination.

“Gusto naming ilaban para sa captain namin,” Villegas said. And they did. 

One by one, the players stepped up, fighting not just for the title, but for the teammate who could no longer take the court. That fight ended in triumph.

Now, Renz Villegas looks ahead to an even bigger fight: Central Luzon Regional Athletic Association (CLRAA) 2026. From an unexpected opportunity to a City Meet championship, his journey is proof that talent, when paired with perseverance and heart, will always find its moment.