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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Collegiate devider Ybañez explodes as UST escapes Ateneo to go two in a row; Olayemi, UP prevail

Ybañez explodes as UST escapes Ateneo to go two in a row; Olayemi, UP prevail

Published Feb 25, 2026 01:42 pm

At A Glance

  • Josh Ybañez flashed his offensive brilliance and powered host University of Santo Tomas to a 19-25, 26-24, 21-25, 26-24, 15-11 escape over Ateneo for their second straight win in the UAAP Season 88 men's volleyball at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday, Feb. 25.
Josh Ybañez erupts for UST. (UAAP Media)
Josh Ybañez erupts for UST. (UAAP Media)
Josh Ybañez flashed his offensive brilliance and powered host University of Santo Tomas to a 19-25, 26-24, 21-25, 26-24, 15-11 escape over Ateneo for their second straight win in the UAAP Season 88 men’s volleyball at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Wednesday, Feb. 25.
Ybañez, the league's two-time MVP, provided answers when the Golden Tigers needed it most against the Blue Eagles, particularly in the fourth and fifth sets where he scored timely kills to complete their comeback from a 1-2 set deficit in their two-hour, 16-minute clash.
With Ybañez’s eruption, including his crucial hit that broke a 24-24 deadlock in the fourth, the España-based squad improved its tally to 2-1, while Ateneo slipped to 1-2 despite Emmanuel Okeke’s superb outing.
“The instruction I gave after we lost the opening set was dahan dahan lang [tayo], [particularly in regaining] their confidence. Hindi ko pinabayaan si [JJ] Macam na mawala talaga ‘yung confidence niya, I kept him on and off the court to regain that,” said UST head coach Odjie Mamon.
Preventing errors also played a big role for UST’s victory after it only listed 30 compared to Ateneo’s 39.
The Alas Pilipinas ace posted 29 points off 27 attacks and two aces on top of 19 excellent receptions and four excellent digs, while JJ Macam chipped in 12 points. Joncriz Ayco and Trevor Valera added nine and six points, respectively.
Dux Yambao shone anew with 24 excellent sets with three points and four digs, while Kalel Legaspi listed six digs and 10 receptions for UST, which goes for its third consecutive triumph against University of the East this Saturday, Feb. 28.
Okeke fueled Ateneo’s fight with 26 points along with 10 excellent receptions, and five digs, while Jian Salarzon contributed 17 points, 17 excellent receptions, and 10 excellent digs. Amil Pacinio and Brian Castro combined for 24 points in a losing cause.
Meanwhile, Raheem Olayemi continued his scoring spree with 29 points to anchor University of the Philippines past De La Salle, 25-23, 25-19, 21-25, 25-22, and score a rebound win.
After yielding to the Blue Eagles in their last game, the Fighting Maroons moved on quickly and flexed their might in the first two sets before denying the Green Spikers in the fourth with Olayemi and Milven Francisco carrying the load.
“I’m so happy with our team, we took the responsibility, and I’m happy [we get the victory],” said Olayemi, who finished with 29 points on 25 attacks, three blocks, and one ace to improve UP’s slate to 2-1.
Their win resulted in a three-way tie in the standings with reigning champion National University and UST, while La Salle, which was powered by Issa Ousseini's 14 and Uriel Mendoza's 13, dropped to 0-3 hole.
The Fighting Maroons take on the Bulldogs next this Wednesday, at the same UST venue. La Salle, on the other hand, collides with the Blue Eagles Sunday, March 1, at the Big Dome.
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