Two-time MVP Josh Ybañez from the University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers returned on court as his team suffered a 20-25, 22-25, 25-22, 21-25 against the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles.

Ybañez didn’t score a point as he only entered the match to be a serve and defense specialist, but the game marked his return to the taraflex after missing a few games.

On the other hand, Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagle Sobe Buena was stretchered off the court in the first set of their straight-set defeat against the University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses, 20-25, 23-25, 21-25.

There have been no updates regarding Buena’s injury as of writing time.  Buena was stretchered off the court in an apparent leg injury in the first set. The Blue Eagles are already missing the services of Zel Tsunashima, who broke her tibia and fibula, and Jennifer Delos Santos, who suffered from an ACL tear before the start of the season.

Here are other things you’ve missed during the weekend.

Josh Ybañez returns to court

After missing action for a few weeks, two-time MVP Josh Ybañez returned to the court as a service specialist in the University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers’ loss against the Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles, 20-25, 22-25, 25-22, 21-25, on Sunday, March 9.

After the match, Ybañez expressed his happiness that he returned on court as he gave credit to Ateneo’s good performance in the match. He said, “Masaya ako kasi nakabalik ako ng laro, pero ayun nga, natalo kami. So, I think that’s a sign na marami pa kaming kailangan i-improve at tutukan sa training. Bibigay po namin ‘yung credit sa Ateneo, maganda po ‘yung laro nila.”

He added, “Siguro ang main goal ko is maging healthy at maka-recover nang mabilis para at least, ‘pag isinalang ako ni coach next game, makakatulong ako.”

The next game of the Golden Spikers would be against the defending champions, the National University Bulldogs. UST head coach Odjie Mamon was hopeful Ybañez could play in his usual open spiker position.

He said, “Hopefully, by the next game, he can already hit, pero siyempre, titingnan namin. Well-deserved rest siguro tomorrow ‘yung mga players kasi mula nung nag-start, wala kaming hinto. I will give them Monday off, and if possible, even Tuesday.”

“Pero definitely, nagpe-prepare kami para sa last game ng first round, ‘yung NU.”

The Golden Spikers and the Bulldogs will fight each other on Sunday, March 16, at the Araneta Coliseum.

Alyssa Solomon applies for Korean V-League Asian Quota

Two-time UAAP champion Alyssa Solomon is one of the four Filipino volleyball players to apply for the 2025 Korean V-League (KOVO) Asian Quota draft with professional players Mars Alba, Maddie Madayag, and Majoy Baron.

Despite this announcement, Solomon reiterated that her goal for now was to defend the championship of the Lady Bulldogs. They are currently leading the standings with five wins and zero losses.

“D’yan lang siya muna, mas focus po ako dito sa UAAP. Actually, biglaan lang siya since focused ako sa UAAP that time, and biglang may nag-approach sa’kin na agent and sinabi kung gusto ko raw po ba mag-tryout sa KOVO,” she said after his team defeated the University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons on Sunday, March 9.

“Sinabi ko po kung online lang ba or kailangan ko po ba pumunta doon (sa Korea). Sabi naman online lang so wala akong magiging problema doon basta mag-submit lang daw ako ng files na kailangan po.”

The 2025 Korean V-League (KOVO) Asian Quota Draft will be held remotely on Friday, April 11, at the Mayfield Hotel in Seoul, South Korea.

Buddin makes it work despite Ramadan

National University gunner Buds Buddin had a hard task right now of leading his team to a historic “five-peat” while observing and practicing Ramadan, a month of fasting (sawm), prayer (salah), reflection, and community for Islam.

Because of this balancing act, Buddin playing at the highest level of collegiate volleyball and observing Ramadan was a test of faith for him.

He told Tiebreaker Times, “Oo sobra, sobrang happy ko na ‘yung Ramadan, minsan tumatama sa season kasi dito mo mapapatunayan kung paano ba talaga ‘yung faith mo as a Muslim, e. Ito talaga ‘yung ginagawa ko sa faith ko, hindi lang para sa team, hindi lang para sa sarili, pero para sa pamilya ko rin.”

In the end, Buddin tried to make both works – adjusting to make sure he delivers for his team and his religion.

“Actually, mahirap siya sa ngayon kasi hindi ako nakakapag-fasting minsan since nagte-take ako ng gamot and nagte-training. Minsan ‘pag may free time talaga at ‘pag alam kong light ‘yung training, doon ako nagfa-fasting since kailangan ko trabahuhin at i-practice kung ano ‘yung nararapat sa pagiging Islam,” he said.

“Siyempre kung ano ‘yung duty ko sa team, ginagawa ko pa rin siya kahit mahirap. Dala na lang din ng mindset at focus ko sa goal and sa team and sa sarili.”

The National University Bulldogs is now at the second in the standings with four wins and one loss.

Detdet Pepito’s balancing act

University of Santo Tomas team captain Detdet Pepito is known for her impressive skills in digging and receiving balls on the court, but outside, she is a pre-service public school teacher as she’s getting her diploma in Elementary Education.

Pepito, who has been a student-athlete since elementary school, was used to making sacrifices for her ultimate goal.

“Sakripisyo lang talaga ang katapat. Ever since Grade 7 ako or elementary pa lang ako, student-athlete na ako,” she said. “It’s how you managed your time and your priorities, medyo haggard lang since mga bata ‘yung tinuturuan ko. Pasensya lang talaga.”

Pepito, a proud product of public school, now understands her teachers and how much they love their students.

She ended, “Galing kasi akong public school, so akala ko kaya ko ito kasi nagsusungit-sungit ako. Tapos nung naging pre-service teacher na ako sa public school, parang kakaiba na ‘yung mga bata kaya believe ako sa mga teacher talaga na grabe ‘yung sakripisyon at pagmamahal sa mga bata.”

The University of Santo Tomas Golden Tigresses are on a roll with a five-game winning streak since dropping their opening-day game against the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws.