Josh Ybañez is not done chasing a championship with the UST Golden Spikers just yet.
Despite already building one of the most decorated careers in UAAP Men’s Volleyball history, the three‑time MVP confirmed that he will return for his fifth and final season in the UAAP Season 89 Men’s Volleyball Tournament.
For Ybañez, the decision ultimately came down to gratitude and unfinished business.
“Honestly, I think it’s the love I have for my school. It’s my way of giving back to my community, so ayun ‘yung inisip ko. I am so grateful na napunta ako sa UST, so why not laruin ko pa ang pinakahuli kong chance na ipaglaban ang team at maglaro for UST?” Ybañez said after receiving his third UAAP MVP award at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
UST Cornerstone: Josh Ybañez
The pride of General Santos has been one of the cornerstones of UST’s resurgence since arriving in España in Season 85.
He immediately made history in his rookie year after capturing the Rookie‑MVP honors and Best Outside Spiker award while steering the Golden Spikers to a runner‑up finish against the NU Bulldogs.
Josh Ybañez later added two more MVP trophies and two more Best Outside Spiker citations, alongside another silver‑medal finish in Season 86 and consecutive bronze‑medal campaigns in Seasons 87 and 88.
The versatile outside hitter also expanded his role internationally after suiting up for Alas Pilipinas Men as a converted libero during the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship, and helped the country secure a bronze medal in the Southeast Asian Games.
Eyes on the Ultimate Prize
Even with the accolades piling up, Josh Ybañez admitted that the championship remains the only thing missing.
“As I have said in previous interviews, [the MVP] is not my goal. Welcome ito sa akin, but that’s not what I’m chasing. Bonus na lang itong binigay ni God—thank you, God. I’m grateful for this, pero alam niyo naman talaga ang pinaka‑goal ko dito sa UAAP,” he said.
Heading into his final year, Ybañez also hopes to assume a greater leadership role for UST’s young core, which includes Joncriz Ayco, Sean Cruz, Andrei Delicana, and Edriel Alabar.
“Personally, ang pinakagoal ko lang talaga is to perform at my best every game and, of course, to lead my teammates, to be an inspiration sa younger teammates ko. I hope na mas ma‑mold ako, mas maging better athlete ako, mas maging better leader ako next year para ma‑lead ko yung mga teammates ko. ’Yun lang ang pinaka‑goal ko talaga,” Josh Ybañez added.
UST Veterans Still on the Mend
Meanwhile, fellow veterans Gboy de Vega and Dux Yambao have yet to decide whether they will also return for one final season.
“Sa case naman namin, depends sa coaches ‘yung sa amin…’Yung sa amin, ang coaches pa rin ang magde‑decide. Pero open pa rin naman kami to play for them kasi hindi pa naman kami nakaka‑gold. Pero then again, hindi pa kami nakakapag‑decide kasi naka‑focus pa kami sa graduation,” De Vega said.
“Binigyan naman kami ng chance para makapag‑decide. Siguro, hinahanap pa rin namin yung oras para pag‑isipan nang tama. Hindi naman kami minamadali ng coaches para makapag‑decide,” Yambao added.
