Josh Ybañez is the epitome of a true role player — embracing every task entrusted to him in Alas Pilipinas, driven by love for his country and the sport he has dedicated almost his entire life to.
Known as a lethal attacker in the collegiate ranks, earning two UAAP MVP titles, the 22-year-old had to adapt to a new role as libero when he joined the national team.
His “sacrifice” paid off.
Ybañez became a key figure in the Philippines’ historic first-ever win at the FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship, anchoring the team’s floor defense in a four-set triumph over Egypt: 29-27, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21.
The current University of Santo Tomas ace savored the moment, proud to be part of a team that made history.
“Actually, ‘yung feeling ko, hindi ko ma-explain. Sobrang naiyak lang ako kanina; tumulo lang ‘yung luha ko. Because, hindi ko po talaga inexpect na mangyayari ‘to. Pero, I just had huge trust to my team, sa teammates ko, sa coaches and staff. Alam kong kaya naman namin,” Ybañez shared.
For the versatile athlete from General Santos City, the change in position came with a change in mindset — one that proved crucial for Alas, turning their defeat against Tunisia into a victory over Egypt.
“I-set lang namin ‘yung mind namin na galingan lang namin bawat isa. Kasi nung first game, sobrang taas ng expectations namin na kaya namin pero we didn’t get the result na gusto namin,” he said.
“Ngayon naglaro lang kami nang free; naglaro lang kami nang masaya. And then nanalo kami,” Ybañez added.
Another key to the victory, according to Ybañez, was the team’s determination to play with fire from the start, a contrast to their previous slow-start matches.
“Siguro pinaka-difference is ‘yung hindi kami slow start ngayon. Hindi katulad nung last game na lagi kaming slow start, mababa ‘yung energy. So, ‘yung mindset namin ngayon, na dapat una pa lang, aggressive na, kung gusto niyong manalo,” he said.
Ybañez delivered 15 digs and 13 excellent receptions across the two tournament matches, ranking among the top 10 in both skills. Yet for him, the stats are secondary to the historic achievement.
“Yung effort ko at ‘yung effort ng teammates ko laging ando’n ‘yon. Gagawin namin lahat every day para lang manalo. Tsaka ‘yung ibang saves ko kanina, si God na ‘yon. Tinulungan niya rin kaming manalo,” the Alas defense specialist concluded.
Alas Pilipinas libero Josh Ybañez: Change of mindset was key to historic #MWCH25 win 🏐🇵🇭#ReadMore 👉 https://t.co/j8ShPtoAQA
📹 @seol_gongchan /Tiebreaker Times#MWCH2025 #Sambansa pic.twitter.com/Uj0UvOxwbe
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) September 16, 2025
