Following a difficult and injury-filled UAAP Season 87, Josh Ybañez used his time with Alas Pilipinas, the national men’s volleyball team, to refine his game and develop into a more well-rounded player.
Despite being regarded as one of the UAAP’s most explosive scorers, Ybañez suited up as a libero for Alas during the FIVB Men’s World Championship in September.
There, Ybañez stood out defensively, finishing as the fifth-best receiver in the preliminary round with an average of 7.67 excellent receptions per match and a 31.51% success rate.
The Philippines managed just one win in three games at the tournament, defeating Egypt before ending its campaign in 19th place.
Ybañez once again took on the libero role at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in December, where the national team secured a bronze medal.
“For me, pinakamalaking learning ko sa Alas was to play with pride,” Ybañez said. “Regardless kung sino ‘yong kalaban, always think na mas malakas kayo, na may ibibigay ‘yong team mo.”
Ybañez admitted that returning to his spiker role with the UST Golden Spikers required a challenging period of adjustment.
“Actually, I really had a hard time pagbalik ko as spiker,” he told the Varsitarian. “Sobrang iba-iba siya noong una, … parang nakalimutan ko na lahat ‘yong mga dapat kong gawin as a spiker.”
To rediscover his rhythm, Ybañez returned to fundamentals, repeatedly working through drills during training.
The fourth-year player and two-time UAAP MVP said easing back into a scoring role did not come easily.
“Sobrang daming attempts, sobrang daming approaches sa spiking, and sobrang daming touches hanggang sa makuha ko ‘yong tamang timing,” Ybañez said.
After being hampered by an ankle injury early last season, which ended in a third-place finish for the Golden Spikers, Ybañez is now hoping for a healthy year ahead, both personally and for the entire squad.
“Wala [ring pressure na makabawi from my injury last year], pero it’s more like praying that this season will be the healthiest season for all of us. Kasi sobrang hirap pag na-injury talaga,” he said.
With this possibly his final season in a UST uniform, Ybañez said leadership within the team has never depended on tenure.
“Kahit rookie ka man or senior ka man, you can be a leader inside the court,” he said. “Outside the court, of course, I need guidance from the seniors. Pero sa loob ng court, you can be a leader. But now, of course, gagawin ko ‘yong role na ’yon every game.”
“Wala akong nira-rush. [I just want us to] enjoy this season.”
The Golden Spikers will open the season against the NU Bulldogs on Feb. 15, at the Mall of Asia Arena. Kurt Russel Vincent Miranda
