UST dynamo Josh Ybañez to use national team experience to center himself ahead of Golden Spikers’ Season 87 stint.
Josh Ybañez will bring more than just volleyball skills to the UST Golden Spikers after an eventful offseason building up to UAAP Season 87.
As he spent his time with the national team in 2024, Ybañez not only fine-tuned his defensive skills, but also learned how to take on more of a leadership role inside the court. Focusing on regulating his emotions, he’s ready to pass on the lessons to his teammates.
“Sobrang laking tulong nung [national team] kasi sabi ko nga, araw-araw kong nakakasama is mga mature na mga tao. Mature na mga athletes so I think that’s the lesson I could use, sa team ko, na maging mature din,” Ybañez told One Sports during the UAAP Media Day.
“[I want to] convince them (teammates) na maging mature inside the court and i-hold 'yung emotions sa paglalaro.”
Of course, Ybañez wasn’t just tested on the mental side during his time with Alas Pilipinas, as he also had to adjust himself to a new role — having played as a libero under Italian head coach Angiolino Frigoni.
Though having flourished in that role with older and more veteran hitters, Ybañez shied away from the possibility of playing that role for the Golden Spikers.
Rather, he’s just ready to be what the team and head coach Odjie Mamon will ask of him.
“Depende kay Coach Odjie,” he said on playing libero for UST.
But as far as Mamon is concerned, Ybañez can stay where he is as he believes that the current lineup has already patched up any holes in their various roles.
Now more focused on his Golden Spikers, Mamon believes that it is the right time for them to flourish.
“We’re on track sa mastery ng system kasi ni-revise ko 'yung attack system namin so, we’re on time. So, maganda sana 'yung result namin on the first day,” said Mamon.
“I think I have the lineup that I wanted. So all positions filled up [and] hindi ako mawawala during the season,” he added.