UAAP: Reigning MVP Ybañez vows to do more for UST in Season 86

Josh Ybanez of the UST Golden Spikers named Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player for UAAP Season 85 Men’s Volleyball during the awarding ceremonies at the Mall of Asia Arena on May 14, 2023. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File. 

MANILA — University of Sto. Tomas star Josh Ybañez is promising to do more for the Golden Spikers in their UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball tournament campaign.

Last year’s Most Valuable Player, who led the España-based squad to the Finals, dominated the league as a rookie, and one of his top priorities is to show consistency based on what he has already built.

“Sobrang ganda nung nasimulan ko last year,” said the 5-foot-7 leaper during the league’s press conference last Monday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City. 

“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 added. 

UST is looking to end a more-than-a-decade title drought, a feat that they nearly achieved last year. That is why Ybañez said that despite already performing great in Season 85, he is now even more knowledgeable on how his approach will be this time around.

“Aasahan nila ang mas mabilis na Josh, mas matapang na Josh, and of course, yung mas may malaking tiwala sa teammates na Josh,” said last year’s Rookie of the Year, who was also instrumental in UST’s gold medal finish in the 2023 PNVF Challenge Cup.

Ybañez then went on to emphasize how his trust in his teammates developed further. 

“Pinaghandaan ko na po yan,” he answered when asked what adjustments he would be making especially since he now has a target on his back.

“Pinaghandaan na po ng team yan na if ever medyo hirap ako, sasaluhin nila ako. I have huge trust sa teammates ko.

“Alam kong kaya rin nila. Alam kong may sasalo sa akin if ever ako yung mawala,” he continued. 

And with their fruitful offseason, as well as the hard-earned lessons from last year, the prized hitter of UST is hoping that all of these will bear fruit as they start their journey on Sunday.

“Focused na focused kami kung paano kami mag champion ngayon. Of course, sinisipagan namin sa ensayo, pinagtitiyagaan namin, may mga sakripisyo pero I know magiging worth it siya soon,” he ended.

Ybañez and the rest of his squad will be facing their Season 85 Finals tormentor on February 18 at 12 noon, still at the MOA Arena. 

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