With the brightest lights on and a Finals berth at stake, Josh Ybañez found himself in a familiar place — searching for answers.
Despite securing his third Most Valuable Player award in the UAAP Season 88 Collegiate Men’s Volleyball Tournament, Ybañez could not shake the feeling that he fell short for University of Santo Tomas when it mattered most.
Facing a National University side chasing a historic ‘six-peat’ in the Final Four once again, the UST star — poised to become the school’s first three-time UAAP men’s volleyball MVP — found himself held to just nine points on 7-of-26 spiking.
However, he still anchored the floor defense with 16-of-21 excellent receptions in a straight-sets loss to the Bulldogs.
With the defeat, the Golden Spikers extended their title drought to 15 years, their last championship coming in Season 73 (2011). It also marked UST’s second straight bronze-medal finish after Season 87.
“Actually, hindi ko naman siya tinatake talaga kung ano yung natanggap ko, pero now sa pinakita ko, to be honest, I really don’t feel na… Sobrang hate ko lang kasi kung kailan ako pinaka kailangan, doon ako wala,” Ybañez said postgame. He previously delivered 27-point and 21-point performances in UST’s last two outings against NU.
(C) UAAP Season 88 Media Team
The General Santos native broke down in tears after the loss, admitting that NU’s defensive scheme — led by the trio of Leo Ordiales, Buds Buddin, and Jade Disquitado — effectively neutralized him when the Golden Spikers needed him most.
Ybañez revealed that beyond the defensive pressure, he also battled self-doubt even before stepping onto the court. That hesitation with himself ultimately disrupted his rhythm throughout the match.
“Siguro ayun nga, binantayan nila ako, pero ewan ko kung ano nangyari. Hindi ko talaga maintindihan kasi parang sobrang open ako masyado sa teammates ko nung timeout. Bago pa lang mag-start [yung game], sobrang pinagduduhan ko na yung sarili ko at sobrang nahirapan na akong bumalik,” the 23-year-old outside hitter shared.
“Nung nasa court na ako, tinatry ko siyang labanan and iniisip ko talaga na kaya ko ito. Pero ewan ko, hindi ako nagka-momentum at hindi talaga lahat. Ewan ko ba. Wala talaga.”
Longtime teammate Gboy de Vega quickly came to his defense, emphasizing that even the game’s brightest stars are not immune to off nights.
For De Vega, the setback could serve as a turning point for Ybañez, helping him grow both as a player and as a person, especially with the future of UST’s core still uncertain.
“I say he deserves it, it’s just that very bad day today. I think it will mold him to be a better person and a better player for the next,” De Vega said.
