University of Santo Tomas’ Josh Ybañez emerged as a super rookie in the UAAP Season 85 men’s volleyball tournament, securing Rookie of the Year, First Best Outside Spiker, and Most Valuable Player honors.
His dominance was evident as he led in spiking, ranked second in points scored, topped in service, and landed second in reception.
However, the Golden Spikers fell short of their ultimate goal – winning the championship and breaking National University’s reign in the Finals.
Despite this setback, the pride of General Santos City is determined to showcase a better version of himself in Season 86, as he expressed during the tournament press conference on Monday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena lobby.
“Aasahan nila ang mas mabilis na Josh, mas matapang na Josh, and of course yung mas may malaking tiwala sa teammates na Josh,” said the 5-foot-7 high-leaper, who also won MVP awards in the V-League Collegiate Challenge and PNVF Challenge Cup.
“Sobrang ganda nung nasimulan ko last year and I think kailangan ko lang siya ipagpatuloy, gawin ko lang yung best ko all the time para mas malaki yung mai-contribute ko sa team ngayon,” he continued.
Having settled for silver last season, Ybañez and the Golden Spikers have a singular goal for this season – to end their 13-year gold drought. UST gained confidence from their victory in the 2023 PNVF Challenge Cup, where they triumphed over NU in the semifinals before defeating club team Cignal in the final.
“Focused na focused kami kung paano kami magchampion ngayon. Of course, sinisipagan namin sa ensayo, pinagtitiyagaan namin, may mga sakripisyo pero I know magiging worth it siya soon.”
Aware of the attention he will draw as a marked man in the league, Ybañez is confident that his teammates, including wing spikers Gboy De Vega and Jay Rack Dela Noche, along with rookie Sherwin Umandal, who earned the Best Opposite Spiker award in the PNVF tournament, will step up when needed.
“Pinaghandaan ko na po yan, pinaghandaan na po ng team yan na if ever medyo hirap ako, sasaluhin nila ako and I have huge trust sa teammates ko, alam kong kaya rin nila. Alam kong may sasalo sa akin if ever ako yung mawala,” said Ybañez.
