The UST Golden Spikers are eager to turn a new leaf and shake off old tendencies as they vie for the title in UAAP Season 88 men’s volleyball.
The UST Golden Spikers are seeking a breakthrough in UAAP Season 88 after years of showing promise under the leadership of dynamo spiker Josh Ybañez.
Following three seasons of podium finishes but no championships, the España-based squad hope for better fortunes this time around. But expecting a change in results neds to come from a change in how they do things — one that Ybañez is more than ready to accept.
“I think if there’s something na kailangan i-change, I think 'yung mindset talaga naming seniors. Kasi we tend to go back sa old habits namin, inside the court. 'Yun 'yung pinaka ayaw ni Coach Odjie [Mamon] talaga,” Ybañez said after unleashing 29 points in UST’s five-set win over Ateneo.
“Ayun, siguro mas mapapatibay talaga yung team kapag kaming mismong seniors ang naging role model sa mga bata. We stick to the system to play according to our system.”
[READ: Josh Ybañez-led UST digs deep, repulses Ateneo in five-set UAAP thriller]
In a strange turn of events, Ybañez and his fellow seniors are looking towards the younger players in Mamon’s lineup.
While they have more experience, the high-flying spiker knows that the rookies coming in, like Joncriz Ayco and Kalel Legaspi, bring invaluable lessons from their championship run in the juniors division just last year.
Knowing what it takes to win, Ybañez believes that they can take a page from their book, while the veterans also help them ease into their roles.
“Actually, prepared naman talaga kami — kahit sila (rookies). Nung [sa] Japan, we’ve been through a lot of practice games and ayun yung test of mastery sa system namin. Etong mga rookie, actually mas nagsi-stick pa nga sila. Kami pa ngang mga senior yung medyo nawawala,” Ybañez admitted.
“So ayun, masaya ako na na-adapt nila yung sistema namin. Galing sila sa champion team and galing din sila sa high school. Hindi naman siguro magiging ganon kalaki yung adjustment nila pagdating sa college,” he added.
Currently, the Golden Spikers are in good shape, now with back-to-back wins after losing their opener against the FEU Tamaraws.
With a 2-1 slate, they put themselves in prime position for a case for the title early on.
UST faces off next against a rejuvenated UE squad that recently broke a losing streak in UAAP men’s volleyball that has surely put a skip in their step.
The two sides meet in the opening game on Saturday, February 28, at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion.
Luisa Morales is a sports writer with a special interest in promoting women’s sports.
Her coverage highlights include the UAAP, PVL, Southeast Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup. She also follows Alex Eala, the Philippine women’s national football team, and mixed martial arts.