Josh Ybañez is on track to reclaim the throne he has held twice before, leading the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball MVP race after the first round.
But for the 5-foot-7 outside spiker, the top individual award isn’t his main priority.
Ybañez earned MVP honors in his first two seasons with the University of Santo Tomas before Ateneo’s Kennedy Batas claimed the award in Season 87.
Now, Ybañez is chasing the most important prize of all for any athlete — the championship.
“Actually, it doesn’t matter sa akin kasi… Hindi naman sa ano, nakuha ko na siya before. And regardless kung makuha ko man ’yan o hindi, ang pinaka-importante sa akin championship na lang talaga,” said the General Santos native.
“Yun na lang ang missing sa akin. Gusto ko talagang mag-champion. Sinabi ko na ‘yan before. Sinabi ko na yan sa mga teammates ko na kahit anong mangyari, tulungan lang kasi gusto ko talaga mag-champion. Nag-bronze na kami, nag silver na kami dalawang beses. Isa na lang, gold na lang talaga, and kukunin namin yun sana, hopefully.”
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
During his MVP seasons, UST fell short against National University in the Finals. Last year, the Golden Spikers didn’t even reach the championship round, settling for third.
Despite Ybañez leading the MVP race this season, UST stumbled at the end of the first round and start of the second, losing to the FEU Tamaraws and the Ateneo Blue Eagles, respectively.
Ybañez made sure to bounce back on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, leading UST to a 25-18, 30-28, 25-23 victory over De La Salle University on his 23rd birthday.
“Nag-mindset na ako the other day pa nung natalo kami sa Ateneo. Sobrang frustrated ko, like I cannot stop myself na umiyak kasi alam ko talagang sobrang dami ko pang kayang gawin na sana ginawa ko. Kaso puro mga mali yung ginawa ko,” said Ybañez.
“Minindset ko kahapon na hindi puwedeng manalo ang La Salle since birthday ko ngayon and I don’t want to start the day na talo, na malungkot ako.”
Poetically, Ybañez scored 23 points on his 23rd birthday — 16 attacks, four blocks, and three aces — while also recording nine receptions and four digs.
The win puts UST back on track, now at 6-3 in solo third place. Up next for the Golden Spikers is a showdown with FEU on Sunday at their home court, the Quadricentennial Pavilion.
