Dave Wilson Yu: From Court Leader to Campus Builder

by: Janice Dollosa

Engr. Dave Wilson Yu, the former co-captain of the National University Bulldogs Men’s Basketball Team, embodies the journey of a student-athlete who successfully transitioned from the hardcourt to a thriving career in engineering. Now a licensed civil engineer and contractor, Yu has come full circle by contributing to the construction of NU Bacolod’s new campus, blending his athletic discipline with professional expertise.

A Champion On and Off the Court

Dave Wilson Yu joined NU in 2012 after completing his high school education at Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu. He initially did not consider NU among his options, but a combination of meeting key figures like Hans Sy and a mutual family decision led him to take a leap of faith. ”Actually, to be honest, NU wasn’t really on my radar at first. Pero when I met good people like Uncle Manny and his family, pati na rin si Mr. Hans, I started to see things differently. Parang hindi nila tinutukoy yung mga bagay na quantified like money, pero yung pagbabago sa quality of life mo.”

At NU, Yu pursued Civil Engineering—his first and only course of choice—while playing for the Bulldogs. As a team member of the Bulldogs, they notched the historic UAAP Season 77 championship victory in 2014, breaking a 60-year drought. He was also the team captain of the Team Pilipinas in the 2014 FIBA Asia Under-18. Despite his responsibilities as an athlete, Yu remained committed to his academics. His time at NU became a transformative experience, one he fondly credits for his current success. “National U helped me a lot because, number one, I got to be an engineer because of National University. I also got the chance to meet a lot of wonderful people. Without them, hindi ko mararating kung ano ako ngayon dahil sa NU. So, laking pasalamat ko sa NU talaga. My brother and I can both attest to the power of NU’s slogan, “Education that works.” It’s not just a phrase—it’s something we’ve experienced firsthand. The education we received didn’t just prepare us academically, but also equipped us with the skills and network to succeed in our chosen paths.”

From the Hardcourt to the Boardroom

Although basketball remained a core part of Yu’s life, he decided not to pursue a professional basketball career after his final playing year with the Bulldogs. Reflecting on the demands of juggling sports and academics, he shared, “Noong last playing year ko, kasi na-burnout na ako sa school at basketball. Parang sobrang pagod na talaga ako. Kaya doon ko na naisip na hindi ko na ipagpapatuloy ang basketball career ko at magfo-focus na ako sa engineering.”

In May 2019, Yu achieved a milestone when he passed the Civil Engineering Licensure Examination. His preparation involved an intense schedule of reviews and tutoring sessions. “Lagi yun, may tutor ako. Wala akong ginagawa after class or after training kundi mag-tutor kami ni Christian Acosta. Laking tulong din talaga siya, kaya naging licensed engineer ako,” he recounted.

After becoming a licensed civil engineer, Yu initially worked for various construction firms, where he started from scratch. “Nag-apply ako sa iba, wala akong kilala. I started from the bottom, kaya doon ko na-realize kung gaano kahirap. Pero nagpapasalamat ako sa training na nag-shape sa akin at tumulong sa pagbuo ng foundation ko.” His perseverance eventually led him back to NU as a contractor, contributing to the construction of NU Bacolod’s campus—a project that marked a significant full-circle moment in his career.

Yu’s involvement in the NU Bacolod project is a testament to his professional growth and enduring connection to the university. From a student-athlete to an engineer helping shape the university’s physical expansion, Yu exemplifies the spirit of innovation and resilience.

Inspiring the Next Generation

Dave Wilson Yu’s story is one of dedication and persistence, a reminder that success is achievable with the right mindset and effort. For student-athletes aspiring to follow in his footsteps, he offers a mix of inspiration and reality: “I want to pursue a career in basketball. Siguro kami ni Pat, naging inspirasyon na kami sa mga future aspirants kasi… napakita namin na kaya. Pero, may pero.’ Mahirap talaga. Kaya, kung gusto mo, kailangan all-in ka. Hindi pwedeng half-hearted.”

He emphasizes the importance of passion and effort in overcoming challenges, saying, “Kung gusto mo, magawan mo ng paraan. Halimbawa, kung gusto mong gumaling sa shooting, mag-practice ka araw-araw, kahit na malayo na yung oras. Parang ganun lang. Same concept. Mahirap, pero kaya. Kaya.”

“Yu’s journey is not just about overcoming challenges but also about striving to do more and be more—principles that he learned from his high school days at Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu. The belief in MAGIS, the call to excellence, and AMDG—for the greater glory of God—have guided him throughout his life, both as a student-athlete and now as a successful engineer. These values have shaped not only his approach to basketball and engineering but also his commitment to giving back to the university that helped him grow.”

Through his achievements, Yu hopes to inspire others to pursue their dreams with the same determination that guided him. “Anything is possible as long as you put your heart in it,” he said. “I hope I can inspire other student-athletes that it can be done and be not affected by those who doubt us.”

From leading the NU Bulldogs to constructing the future for the university, Engr. Dave Wilson Yu continues to demonstrate the values of integrity, perseverance, and excellence. His journey is a shining example for Nationalians aspiring to excel in both sports and academics, proving that with heart and hard work, greatness is within reach.