Edriel Alabar couldn’t ask for a better mentor than teammate Josh Ybañez.
Alabar, University of Santo Tomas’ libero, is learning the ropes from Ybañez, the team’s star outside spiker who also serves as the libero for Alas Pilipinas.
The 20-year-old defensive specialist has become a key piece for the Golden Spikers in their campaign in the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference, showing steady improvements thanks to Ybañez’s guidance.
His performance against Alpha Insurance was crucial as UST-Gameville eked out a 26-24, 25-22, 35-37, 19-25, 22-20 victory on Friday at the Paco Arena.
The team improved its record to 3-1 in the league organized by Sports Vision and supported by Alpha Insurance, Premiere EMS, Buffalo’s Wings N’ Things, and Arena Plus.
Alabar contributed 31 excellent receptions and 23 excellent digs. Meanwhile, his mentor Ybañez also made a huge impact with 30 excellent receptions and 20 points.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
“Sa training po, si Ate Josh lagi niya akong kino-correct and lagi siyang nagbibigay ng tips kung paano mas maayos na maipasa ‘yung bola, ‘yung mga galaw ko. Kasi ang dami pang dapat baguhin and I’m happy na unti-unti na po siyang nakikita sa laro ko,” said Alabar.
Being a teammate of the Philippine national team libero who stood his ground during the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship, Alabar feels motivated to emulate Ybañez’s defensive prowess.
His mentality in training and games? Play defense the way Ybañez does.
“Every training, iniisip ko lang na walang nakaka-ace kay Ate Josh so dapat sa akin wala rin,” shared Alabar.
With Ybañez set to be called up for national team training ahead of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, Alabar is determined to step up and hold the fort defensively as UST-Gameville aims for the semifinals against the two guest teams joining that round.
The top four teams after the elimination round will qualify for the round-robin semifinals. There, Kindai University of Japan and ProVolley Academy of Australia will raise the stakes even higher.
“Kailangan ko po talagang mag-step up since ‘yun nga, mawawala si Ate Josh. Siguro ‘yung trust ko na lang din po sa teammates ko kasi hindi naman lahat dapat kunin ko, kasi baka ako rin ‘yung mawala sa laro,” said the libero from Valencia, Bukidnon.
“Start sa training, kailangan ko rin i-help ‘yung mga teammates ko lalo na sa pasa and sa depensa.”
