After repeatedly coming up short, UST Golden Spikers setter Dux Yambao is raising the pressure for himself, approaching UAAP Season 88 as his final opportunity to bring a championship to UST.
Although he still has another year of eligibility, Yambao said adopting a do-or-die mindset helps him stay focused, with UST still chasing a title after 13 years of waiting.
“I’d treat this year na last para at least ma-push ko ‘yong sarili ko na makuha ‘yong championship,” Yambao told the Varsitarian. “Kung isipin ko na meron pa namang next year, mali-limit ‘yong progress na maipapakita ko sa UAAP.
Yambao has been part of UST’s pursuit of a title since Season 85, developing alongside the program throughout the years.
During that span, the Golden Spikers have come close on multiple occasions, only to be denied by the NU Bulldogs in the finals in two of the past three seasons.
In Season 87, the 5-foot-10 Davaoeño earned Best Setter honors after leading the UAAP with 5.85 excellent sets per set, though UST settled for bronze following yet another semifinal defeat to NU.
Yambao carried that momentum into the offseason, capturing Best Setter awards in both the NDSL and the V-League, where UST once again finished with a bronze medal.
Accolades aside, Yambao remains focused on daily improvement and sharpening his game.
“‘Di ako magiging complacent do’n sa mga awards na natanggap ko. Hindi naman ibig sabihin na kahit maraming times na rin ako naging best setter, ako na agad ‘yong magaling,” he said.
Yambao pointed to grit as UST’s biggest offseason improvement, especially with competition around the league growing fiercer.
“‘Yong disiplina talaga ‘yong pinaka-finocus,” he said. “This season, iba na talaga. … Disiplinado kami, fearless kami. Hindi kami basta-basta lang pagdating sa laro and ‘di nila kami pwedeng maliitin,” he said.
Yambao is expected to lead the Golden Spikers’ setter corps alongside Joshua Avila and rookie Sam Panganiban.
With Season 88 potentially his final run, the veteran setter said he was motivated by the kind of legacy he would leave behind.
“Ang pinaka-gusto ko talagang maiwan sa UST is ‘yong championship. Hindi pa ako maghihinto magtrabaho,” he said.
“Hanggang sa pag-last game o makuha na namin ‘yong championship, do’n ko masasabi na ito ‘yong gusto kong ibigay sa mga bata,” he added.
The Golden Spikers will open their season against the Bulldogs on Feb. 15 at Mall of Asia Arena.
