While their top stars gain valuable experience abroad with Alas Pilipinas, the rest of University of Santo Tomas-Gameville are stepping up in the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference, seizing the chance to gain exposure and confidence on the court.
With Josh Ybanez, JJ Macam, and Al-Bukarie Sali all with the national team in Taiwan, the Golden Spikers are clearly missing some of their usual firepower.
Yet, Gboy De Vega views this as a golden opportunity for the remaining players to develop and showcase their skills against top local and foreign competition.
The round-robin semifinals will feature defending champion Cignal, perennial contenders Criss Cross and Savouge, as well as foreign guest teams Kindai University of Japan and ProVolley Academy of Australia.
And there’s no reason for UST’s younger players to feel pressured, De Vega believes, as the experience will help them grow, gain confidence, and rise to the challenge against tougher opponents.
(C) Spikers Turf Images
“Talking about pressure, every game laging may pressure kasi naniniwala ako na good naman ‘yung pressure para sa isang player,” said De Vega.
“Kasi kapag hindi ka natatakot, masyado kang confident, so kapag nabigyan ka ng isa at nagkamali ka, mabilis kang ma-down. So if may pressure ka, then ma-conquer mo siya, nakakataas talaga ng morale, and nakakabalik ka talaga sa rhythm.”
Even without Ybanez, Macam, and Sali, De Vega is confident his team can step up and make up for the lost production.
He believes the experience the players are gaining in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational will help UST-Gameville become stronger and more prepared for the challenges of the UAAP season.
“Ito namang liga na ‘to, para sa’min sobrang laking tulong kasi, siyempre, bago kami lumaban sa UAAP, makakalaban namin ‘yung mga semi-professional teams dito sa’tin, especially ‘yung mga iba, dating national team,” De Vega explained.
“Happy and thankful kasi makakalaban ‘yung mga malalakas na teams.”
