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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Volleyball devider UST's Rookie-MVP Josh Ybañez: 'About time to stop NU this season'

UST's Rookie-MVP Josh Ybañez: 'About time to stop NU this season'

Published Feb 14, 2024 05:53 am

At A Glance

  • University of Santo Tomas' Josh Ybañez has one big mission this coming UAAP Season 86 men's volleyball tournament: stop the reigning champion National University in its four-peat title bid.

University of Santo Tomas’ Josh Ybañez has one big mission this coming UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball tournament: stop the reigning champion National University in its four-peat title bid.

The Golden Spikers, who marched into the finals last season for the first time since Season 74, had the 5-foot-7 spiker to thank for after ending their nearly 11-year wait.

However, UST came up short against the top seed NU which went all the way undefeated to its third consecutive title after riding a 34-game winning streak dating back to Season 81.

 

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UAAP Season 85 Rookie-MVP Josh Ybañez of UST. (UAAP Media)


Though coming off a three-year delayed season, the Bulldogs were simply in a league of their own — that not even the 20-year-old Ybañez could overcome.

With renewed focus and goal, Ybañez is confident that UST, which came close last season, could finally put an end to NU’s reign this time around.

“Same as last season, ‘yung mga ginawa ko last season,” said Ybañez.

“Of course pinaghahandaan namin tong season na to and natalo namin ‘yung NU sa mga offseason tournaments. I think it’s about time na ma-stop na ‘yung championship [run] nila,” he detailed.

Ybañez, who came in sharp and in-form last season, couldn’t help but extend the same expectations for UST’s six rookies in its determined campaign this year.

“Siguro gusto ko lang ipagpatuloy kung ano ‘yung nasimulan ko. Alam kong mataas ‘yung kumpiyansan ko ngayong season after last year. And I think mas bobonggahan (gagalingan) ko pa this year,” he said.

“Regarding those six new players, mga rookies. I have a huge trust sa kanila. I know kaya nila, hinog na sila. Hindi rason ‘yung pagiging rookie para hindi sila lumaban,” he concluded.

Related Tags

UAAP Season 86 Josh Ybañez UST Golden Spikers
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