‘Matapang pa sa barako’: UST coach Odjie Mamon has nothing but praise for Josh Ybañez

As the school hymn played out inside the Mall of Asia Arena, an emotional Josh Ybañez gently pounded his chest with his right hand over and over as the University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers’ settled for a bridesmaid finish in the UAAP Season 85 men’s volleyball tournament.

The newly-minted rookie-MVP did everything in his power to will the team but it proved futile as the indomitable National University Bulldogs reigned supreme again for the third straight time.

While he would have preferred UST emerging on the throne after the classic best-of-three finale, Ybañez and the Golden Spikers will try to build on this experience in the hope of getting a chip in the near future.

“Mas masaya ako kung nag-champion kami. ‘Yun pinaka-goal ko talaga, bonus na lang if ever ‘yung individual awards. Pero eto binigay ni Lord so tanggapin namin and magpasalamat,” he said.

After all, the young crew from España “overachieved” this season.

“For this season we already overachieved when we reached the finals. I promised the university we will be in the Final Four, from ranking fifth before the pandemic,” said coach Odjie Mamon. 

“Although tingin namin may chance, kaya lang we have to manage our expectations. ‘Yan sinabi ko sa mga players at the start of the program, na hilaw pa talaga kami. Ang mapa-promise ko na lang is a brighter future.”

Indeed, there are a lot of bright spots for the Golden Tigers, but none shines brighter than the 20-year-old from General Santos City.

Mamon had nothing bur praise for his prized ward.

“I’m so proud. He embodies 'yung tapang, 'yung ferociousness ng tigre. Mas matapang pa siya sa mga barako,” he said of Ybañez.

Filipino sports fans may be tired of motherhood statements like “learning experience.” But this was definitely one for the Golden Spikers, who will want to roar back to this stage next year, hoping for a different result.

(GM)