GOLDEN SPIKER Josh Ybañez showed out on the international stage, bagging the Best Libero plum with the Alas Pilipinas Men during the second leg of the Southeast Asian Volleyball League in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Despite playing as an open spiker in the collegiate ranks, Ybañez took a different task and stabilized the floor defense of Alas as it settled for a fourth-place finish with a 1-3 standing.
Ybañez outlasted Thailand’s Tanapat Charoensuk, who has won the title for the past three tournaments.
In the UAAP, Ybañez nabbed the MVP and Best Outside Spiker awards in back-to-back seasons. He also led UST to a bronze medal in Season 87 despite facing injury woes early in the season.
Alas missed the podium after a four-set defeat against Vietnam, 23-25, 25-21, 17-25, 16-25, on Sunday, July 20.
Host Indonesia prevailed as champions after sweeping the second leg. Vietnam settled for silver, while first-leg champion Thailand took bronze.
During the opening leg of the tournament, Alas also placed one spot shy of the podium after finishing with a 2-2 record.
The Philippines is set to prepare for the upcoming 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship in September, which will be hosted by the Philippines. F – Jade Alecksandra Bagas
