With the victory, the Golden Spikers improved to a 5-1 win-loss card.
Josh Ybañez proved too much to handle as the University of Santo Tomas Golden Spikers bucked a slow start to edge the Ateneo Blue Eagles, 21-25, 28-26, 25-21, 25-21 in UAAP Season 85 Men’s Volleyball on Wednesday.
Ybañez was all over the court, doing pretty much everything for the Golden Spikers, who are now tied with the Far Eastern University Tamaraws at second with identical 5-1 win-loss records.
He finished with 31 points, including the emphatic backrow attack that put the team up, 23-18, in the final set before Gboy De Vega and Jay dela Noche finished it off for the Golden Spikers at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan City.
“Nung una marami akong tinapon na bola, pero alam ko naman na makakabawi ako. Pinapaalala ko lang sa sarili ko na dapat composed and lumaban uli,” said Ybañez, who also had 3 blocks and 2 service aces.
Is there anything else he can’t do?
With the way he is playing, it seems that only Josh Ybañez can stop Josh Ybañez. But after the match, he cited errors as the thing he needs to work on moving forward.
“Maglaro lang, iwas tapon,” he said. “Sa lahat ng skills din. Hindi lang sa atake, kundi sa depensa.”
Earlier in the day, the Tamaraws hammered out a 25-21, 25-23, 23-25, 25-20 win over the University of the East Red Warriors at the same venue.
Mark Calado scored 23 big points, including 3 blocks for FEU. Dryx Saavedra added 13 markers.
JM Andaya had 20 points for UE, which failed to sustain an impressive third set and dropped to a 2-4 slate.