AFTER FINISHING second in back-to-back UAAP men’s volleyball campaigns, the UST Golden Spikers are heading into Season 87 with a heightened hunger to grab the elusive title.
Last season, the fourth-seeded Golden Spikers stunned the twice-to-beat FEU Tamaraws to reach the finals. However, there was no fairy tale ending for the underdogs as they got swept by the dominant NU Bulldogs.
Determined to rewrite their story, the Golden Spikers are embracing a more win-now mindset, fueled by an intact core and the arrival of promising rookies.
“In the past, we always said that if we lose the game, we need to learn… But now, our coach told us that whenever we go inside the venue, we should go home as winners,” outside hitter Gboy de Vega told The Flame.
Pressure to win gold
The Golden Spikers are no strangers to high-pressure matches, having appeared in the finals in two consecutive seasons.
However, the squad is always haunted by the possibility that its efforts will fall short during crucial moments.
“The only thing we haven’t achieved yet is winning the gold,” De Vega said.
“So if we reach that stage again and get another chance to claim the championship, I feel like the pressure will fade—especially since we’ll be in it together as a team,” he added.
For team captain and setter Dux Yambao, two seasons of heartbreaks only fueled their determination for the crown.
“[W]e want to experience a different feeling—one that comes from winning a championship. Losing in the last two seasons wasn’t easy, we want to know what it feels like to be champions, too,” he said.
Reigning MVP Josh Ybañez echoed this, saying his team would refuse to settle for any place other than at the top of the podium.
“This time, we’re aiming for something bigger: the championship,” Ybañez said.
“Since we’ve been in the finals for the past two years, we’ve learned how to handle that pressure… Any other emotions we’re feeling—we need to set them aside so we can stay focused and perform at our best,” he added.
Rooks ready to roar
Five promising newcomers have joined the Golden Spikers to beef up the roster and join the quest for the crown.
Third-year skipper Ybañez said his young teammates have added depth to the poster a f are expected to rise on any occasion.
“We have the best rookies—former high school standouts—combined with great seniors, excellent coaches, and a solid system,” the back-to-back MVP said.
Among the notable new faces is UAAP Season 86 men’s beach volleyball MVP Alche Gupiteo, who brings his winning mindset from the sands to the hardcourt.
“I want to experience a new environment, learn new skills, and keep my mind open to new opportunities,” the Mindanao native said.
Adapting to the indoor game has been a challenge for Gupiteo, particularly in adjusting to a system that demands teamwork and structured play.
Another key addition is former UE Junior Red Warrior captain JJ Macam, a high-flying spiker who made an immediate impact in his V-League stint filling in Ybanez’s shoes in the team. The 6-foot-1 outside spiker registered 31 points in his first two outings, including a 14-point performance against defending champion NU, proving he is more than ready for collegiate play.
“That experience will help me overcome pressure once I get subbed in, especially as a rookie,” Macam said.
Aside from Gupiteo and Macam, the Golden Spikers also acquired Edriel Alabar, taking over the libero position previously held by Van Prudenciado. Adjusting from FEU-Diliman to UST’s system, Alabar faced early struggles but has now embraced his role as a defensive leader.
“I need to be vocal and take on a leadership role inside the court since I am a libero,” the 19-year-old libero said.
Other additions include middle blocker Vryvin Catinsag, who is expected to back up Popoy Colinares and Trevor Valera to patrol UST’s front line. Meanwhile, the 6-foot-5 opposite spiker Al Bukharie Sali is seen to provide added firepower on the right side of the court after showing promise during the V-League.
‘Still improving’
During the offseason, the Golden Spikers slipped from the podium in the V-League Collegiate tournament, falling short to the DLSU Green Spikers in the semifinals.
According to Yambao, the disappointment over the loss serves as a motivation to push the team even further.
“We don’t want to experience that disappointment again—leaving with nothing… We really want to win the championship,” he said.
Ybañez, who missed out on the offseason contests due to national team duties, is optimistic that the Golden Spikers can best the odds, saying his teammates have been working to address their weak points.
“I think they’ve learned valuable lessons from that experience—identifying their weaknesses, which I can see them working on and improving every day in training,” he said.
The high-flying spiker described their failure to reach the podium as a “humbling experience” that exposed areas they needed to enhance.
“It made us realize that we still have a lot to improve on if we truly want to become champions,” he said.
The Golden Spikers will kick-off their Season 87 campaign against Final Four rival FEU Tamaraws on Sunday, Feb. 15, at the Mall of Asia Arena. F
