What was anticipated to be UST’s most promising UAAP men’s volleyball season in recent memory ended in heartbreak, as the defending champion NU Bulldogs once again eliminated the Golden Spikers in the postseason — marking the third consecutive year NU ended UST’s title hopes.
UST head coach Odjie Mamon took full accountability for not bringing out the full potential of his stacked squad, which he had repeatedly called his “best lineup,” as the Golden Spikers bowed out of the title race with a 25-23, 25-23, 25-23 loss on Wednesday.
“I stand by my statement na best lineup ito ng Golden Spikers ever,” Mamon said postgame.
Coming into Season 87, optimism was high that this iteration of the Golden Spikers was their strongest in years — led by two-time UAAP MVP Josh Ybañez, alongside Gboy de Vega, Popoy Colinares, Dux Yambao, Jayrack De la Noche, beach volleyball standout Alche Gupiteo, and rookie sensation Jan Macam.
“Hindi ko lang na-polish ‘yong potential ng boys to the max. Bitter ako kasi may expectations kami. … Mahirap magsalita kapag talo e. I don’t want to make any excuses. Pag-uusapan pa namin kung how to close out the season.”
This year’s bronze finish marked a drop from back-to-back silver medal runs in Seasons 85 and 86.
UST had a rocky start to Season 87 after Ybañez suffered an ankle injury during their season opener against FEU. The third-year ace sat out four games before slowly finding his form toward the end of the elimination round.
Given that early setback, Mamon said he was still proud of how the team performed overall, as UST wrapped up the elimination round with a 9-5 record.
“Not disappointed sa performance or doon sa results namin considering na ‘yong main gunner namin missed four or five matches,” Mamon said.
Still, in the must-win Game 2 against NU, Mamon admitted UST failed to carry out their game plan effectively — as they committed 20 errors, four more than NU.
“NU wanted it more,” Mamon told the Varsitarian. “Yong aggressiveness nila and hindi namin na-execute yung game plan namin.”
Looking ahead, UST is expected to retain most of its core for Season 88, with only De la Noche uncertain to return as the university gears up to host next year’s UAAP season. Mamon stressed the importance of staying injury-free.
With his own return as head coach still undecided, Mamon also shared plans to reinforce the squad with talent from the newly crowned boys’ volleyball champions, the UST Junior Golden Spikers.
“Definitely, may revamp,” he said.
“Next season, we are hosting, so it’s up in the air, whether I get renewed, kasi every year up ‘yong renewal,” he told the Varsitarian. “Pero definitely the new players again coming up, ‘yong graduate ng boys volleyball team. … So definitely looking forward to a new batch.” Joaquin Edgardo A. Cortez with reports from Venerando P. Pagaduan VII
