In his first two years with the University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers in the UAAP, Josh Ybanez has built an impressive resume.
His accolades include a Rookie of the Year award, two UAAP Most Valuable Player (MVP) titles, two First Best Outside Hitter citations, a stint with Alas Pilipinas Men, back-to-back silver medals in Seasons 85 and 86, a championship in the 2023 PNVF Challenge Cup, and a runner-up finish in the 2023 V-League tournament.
Despite these achievements, the 21-year-old outside hitter remains laser-focused on one goal: delivering UST its first UAAP men’s volleyball title since 2011.
(C) Joaqui Flores/UAAP Season 86 Media Team
“Wala na ako naging ibang goal pa kundi magchampion. Dinidisregard ko na yung idea of individual awards, ang main focus ko talaga and ng team is magchampion this season,” Ybanez told reporters during the Season 87 Collegiate Volleyball Press Conference on Thursday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
“I think we have the best lineup this season. Isa ‘yon sa magiging factor sa success ng team namin,” he added.
UST enters the season with a well-balanced mix of seasoned veterans and highly touted rookies, bolstering their championship hopes. With four-time defending champion National University (NU) losing key players Nico Almendras and Joshua Retamar, Ybanez believes that this season presents the best opportunity to end UST’s 14-year title drought.
Joining him in the Golden Spikers’ title quest are Gboy de Vega, Jayrack de la Noche, Dux Yambao, rookies JJ Macam, Edriel Alabar, and Al-Bukharie Sali, as well as Season 86 men’s beach volleyball MVP Alche Gupiteo.
Gupiteo, like Ybanez, hails from Mindanao and has taken a different path in his volleyball career. Now reunited at UST, the duo is eager to make an impact together.
“We have great additions mula sa rookies hanggang kay Alche [Gupiteo]. I think kapag may mag-o-off sa amin, there’s someone na magb-back up para maka-contribute sa team,” Ybanez explained.
“Nandoon pa rin yung gigil namin ni Alche na magsama sa court pero of course, may mga teammates din ako na matapang din maglaro so I think it’s the coach’s decision kung sino maglaro,” he added.
Beyond UST’s reinforced roster, Ybanez has also grown into a leadership role, thanks to his experience with the Philippine national team. While he has made his mark as a dominant scorer in the UAAP, his stint with Alas Pilipinas Men saw him take on a new challenge as a libero.
“I think I am more of a leader ngayon, and sa Alas Pilipinas stint ko, I was able to train or to practice with mature athletes and people. ‘Yon din isa sa mga factor na naabsorb ko sa kanila—yung maging mature at kalmado inside the court,” he said.
Echoing Ybanez’s confidence, head coach Odjie Mamon emphasized that the Golden Spikers must seize this opportunity to dethrone NU and capture the championship.
“Kailangan makaabot kami ng Finals, and we will go all out. That’s the immediate goal. Yung goal talaga namin is to win the championship… Definitely [ito na strongest chance namin]. Hindi namin pwedeng bitawan itong chance na ito,” Mamon told Tiebreaker Times.
With a determined Ybanez leading the way and UST fielding arguably its strongest squad in years, the Golden Spikers are ready to chase history.
