Even with three UAAP men’s volleyball Most Valuable Player awards already in his collection, Josh Ybañez remains far from satisfied.
The Season 88 MVP and versatile outside spiker has officially committed to suit up for his fifth and final playing year with the University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers in the UAAP Season 89 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Tournament.
Ybañez’s decision to stay in España for one last title run remains simple — a chance to give back to the school that transformed him from a lanky spiker out of General Santos into one of the most decorated men’s volleyball players in UAAP history.
“Honestly, I think it’s the love I have for my school. It’s my way of giving back to my community, so ayun yung inisip ko. I am so grateful na napunta ako sa UST, so why not laruin ko pa ang pinakahuli kong chance na ipaglaban ang team at maglaro for UST?” Ybañez told reporters after receiving his third UAAP MVP award Saturday morning at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The 23-year-old outside hitter’s résumé under Odjie Mamon has steadily grown since joining the Golden Spikers.
In his rookie year in Season 85, Ybañez immediately made an impact, emerging as both Rookie–MVP and Best Outside Spiker while steering UST to a runner-up finish against the dominant National University Bulldogs.
In the seasons that followed, he added two more MVP awards and two Best Outside Spiker citations, along with another silver-medal finish in Season 86 and back-to-back bronze finishes in Seasons 87 and 88.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
He also made his mark on the international stage, suiting up for Alas Pilipinas Men as a converted libero in the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship and helping the country secure a third-place finish in the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok, Thailand.
Still, despite the individual accolades, a UAAP men’s volleyball championship continues to elude him — pushing Ybañez to maximize his final year of eligibility.
“As what I have said sa previous interviews, [the MVP] is not my goal. Welcome ito sa akin but that’s not what I’m chasing. Bonus na lang itong binigay ni God — thank you, God. I’m grateful for this, pero alam niyo naman talaga ang pinaka-goal ko dito sa UAAP,” the 5-foot-7 spiker said.
Beyond chasing that elusive UAAP crown, Ybañez also hopes to grow into a stronger leader for a young core that includes Joncriz Ayco, Sean Cruz, Andrei Delicana, and Edriel Alabar, with the goal of ending UST’s 16-year championship drought.
“Personally, ang pinakagoal ko lang talaga is to perform at my best every game and of course to lead my teammates, to be an inspiration sa younger teammates ko. I hope na mas ma-mold ako, mas maging better athlete ako, mas maging better leader ako next year para ma-lead ko yung mga teammates ko. Yun lang ang pinaka-goal ko talaga,” Ybañez added.
Meanwhile, two of his batchmates, Gboy de Vega and team captain Dux Yambao, told Tiebreaker Times they remain undecided on whether to wrap up their UAAP careers or join Ybañez for one final push at the title.
“Sa case naman namin, depends sa coaches yung sa amin… Yung sa amin, ang coaches pa rin ang magde-decide. Pero open pa rin naman kami to play for them kasi hindi pa naman kami nakaka-gold. Pero then again, hindi pa kami nakakapag-decide kasi naka-focus pa kami sa graduation,” De Vega said.
“Binigyan naman kami ng chance para makapag-decide. Siguro, hinahanap pa rin namin yung oras para pag-isipan nang tama. Hindi naman kami minamadali ng coaches para makapag-decide,” Yambao added.
