Despite being on track to secure another Most Valuable Player award, Josh Ybañez has his eyes set on a bigger prize in the UAAP Season 88 Men’s Volleyball Tournament.
The UST Golden Spikers star, already a two-time MVP, made it clear that individual accolades are no longer his priority as he chases the elusive championship.
Ybañez made history in Season 85 by winning both Rookie of the Year and MVP honors, then successfully defended the MVP crown in Season 86. He was dethroned in Season 87 by Ateneo’s Kennedy Batas, as UST settled for a bronze finish.
Josh Ybañez Wants That Title Bad
Now, a third MVP is far from his mind.
“Actually, it doesn’t matter sa akin kasi… nakuha ko na siya before. And regardless kung makuha ko man ’yan o hindi, ang pinaka-importante sa akin championship na lang talaga,” he said.
“’Yun na lang ang missing sa akin. Gusto ko talagang mag-champion. Sinabi ko na ’yan before. Sinabi ko na ’yan sa mga teammates ko na kahit anong mangyari, tulungan lang kasi gusto ko talaga mag-champion. Nag-bronze na kami, nag-silver na kami dalawang beses. Isa na lang — gold na lang talaga.”
UST came close in Seasons 85 and 86, finishing as runner-up to the NU Bulldogs in back-to-back campaigns. In Season 87, the Golden Spikers slipped to third place.
Golden Spikers Will Need to Show Resolve
In Season 88, UST has already absorbed three losses—against NU and the FEU Tamaraws in the first round, and a five-set defeat to the Ateneo Blue Eagles.
Ybañez, however, showed his resolve on his 23rd birthday, leading the Golden Spikers to a 25-18, 30-28, 25-23 sweep of the La Salle Green Spikers with 23 points built on 16 attacks, 4 blocks, and 3 aces.
“Nag-mindset na ako the other day pa nung natalo kami sa Ateneo. Sobrang frustrated ko… hindi ko napigilan umiyak kasi alam ko sobrang dami ko pang kayang gawin,” he ended.
“Minindset ko na hindi puwedeng manalo ang La Salle since birthday ko ngayon. Ayokong magsimula ng araw na talo.”
Josh Ybañez and the Golden Spikers will next face their first-round tormentors, the Far Eastern University Tamaraws, on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. at the Quadricentennial Pavilion.
