Camille Naredo

UST's Josh Ybañez after their game against NU in the UAAP Season 88 men's volleyball tournament, February 15, 2026, at the Mall of Asia Arena. UAAP Media

UST's Josh Ybañez after their game against NU in the UAAP Season 88 men's volleyball tournament, February 15, 2026, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Article (news)

UAAP Season 88

Paige Javier

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1771155403525UAAP 88 MVB NU vs. UST- Josh Ybanez-3700.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="UST&#x27;s Josh Ybañez after their game against NU in the UAAP Season 88 men&#x27;s volleyball tournament, February 15, 2026, at the Mall of Asia Arena. UAAP Media" width="960"/>UST&#x27;s Josh Ybañez after their game against NU in the UAAP Season 88 men&#x27;s volleyball tournament, February 15, 2026, at the Mall of Asia Arena. UAAP Media</div>MANILA – The return of two-time UAAP MVP Josh Ybañez as spiker for the UST Golden Spikers was far from what the Alas Pilipinas libero had in mind. In its first game of the UAAP Season 88 men&#x27;s volleyball tournament, UST fell to the five-time UAAP champions NU Bulldogs in three sets, despite a gallant stand in the first two sets.  <div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2026/2/15/uaap-buddin-ordiales-power-nu-past-ust-as-six-peat-drive-begins-1553">READ: Buddin, Ordiales power NU past UST as &#x27;six-peat&#x27; drive begins</a></div>No UST player was able to reach double figures, as even Ybañez was limited to eight points and 15 excellent receptions.  After playing as libero for Alas in the offseason, Ybañez said the transition to his natural position was easy, crediting the coaching staff and therapists.  The biggest challenge for him now is working on his mentality and maturity during the games, something he learned from his Alas stint.  &quot;Isa sa mga nakuha kong trait or learning from them [Alas] is to be matured talaga inside the court. Pero I&#x27;m still working on that. Kasi minsan ako pa yung nawawala inside the court,&quot; Ybañez said during the post-game press conference.  &quot;Pag nawala ako, mawawala din talaga yung mga teammates ko. Isa yun sa pinagtutuunan ko ng pansin during training,&quot; he added. As one of the seniors of the team this UAAP Season 88, Ybañez said they need to work on their mentality as a whole.  &quot;I think the problem is us, yung players. Kung paano yung mindset namin kasi minsan talaga parang na-o-overpower, nilalamon kami ng emosyon namin during the game and parang di na kami nakakapag-isip ng maayos,&quot; he shared. &quot;Laging ini-instill ng coaches sa amin to be patient inside the court. But then hindi siya nag-ttranslate talaga pag naglalaro,&quot; Ybañez explained. Despite the opening day loss, Ybañez remains optimistic the Golden Spikers will be able to bounce back.  &quot;First game palang namin ito. Hindi ito yung parang determining point kung anong mangyayari sa amin this season,&quot; the two-time UAAP MVP said. &quot;I hope next game we would try to be patient talaga. Yun talaga. Hindi pwedeng matapos sa isang paluan, isang puntos. I-ttry parin namin talaga,&quot; he added.  UST Golden Spikers head coach Odjie Mamon agrees with Ybañez, saying this tough opening day loss is an eye-opener for the team. &quot;This is game one against the defending champions. So I told the players to manage their expectations. Just play, play our brand of volleyball. Maraming areas for development talaga and it showed during the match,&quot; he said. &quot;Kudos sa NU. Proud din ako sa players ko na nag-step up sila. Kahit madaming errors, kaya parin naman bumalik at be competitive,&quot; Mamon added. UST will next face fellow UAAP Season 87 semifinalists, the DLSU Green Spikers, on February 22 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

#UAAPSeason88 | The return of two-time UAAP MVP Josh Ybañez as spiker for the UST Golden Spikers was far from what the Alas Pilipinas libero had in mind.

#UAAPSeason88 | The return of two-time UAAP MVP Josh Ybañez as spiker for the UST Golden Spikers was far from what the Alas Pilipinas libero had in mind.

UAAP: UST's Ybañez aims to work on maturity, mentality after dropping Season 88 opener

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Volleyball

UAAP: UST's Ybañez aims to work on maturity, mentality after dropping Season 88 opener

Paige Javier,

ABS-CBN News

Published February 15, 2026 07:38 PM PHT

Read More:

abssports

volleyball

UAAP

UAAP Season 88

UAAP volleyball

UST Golden Spikers

Josh Ybanez

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.