NU’s Josh Retamar clutches his right knee after colliding with UST’s Josh Ybanez during Game 1 of the UAAP Season 85 men’s volleyball Finals. UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines—All is well between National University setter Joshua Retamar and University of Santo Tomas rookie Josh Ybanez after the two collided late in Game 1 of the UAAP Season 85 men’s volleyball Finals on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
With the Bulldogs holding a precarious 8-7 lead in the fifth set, Retamar tried to block Ybanez’s attack and both accidentally banged knees.
Ybanez quickly checked on Retamar, who fell down on the floor holding onto his right knee.
Retamar, the former national team setter, tried to play through the pain before he was replaced by Clarenz Belostrino, who drilled an ace that made it, 14-11, for NU.
The Bulldogs went on to withstand a tough challenge by UST, 25-23, 25-22, 21-25, 29-31, 15-11 to move on the cusp of a historic three-peat and a season sweep.
Retamar on his collision with Josh Ybanez in the fifth set. #UAAPSeason85 pic.twitter.com/NiQPfAyy0U
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) May 10, 2023
“Yung time na yun, alam ko na kailangan ako ng team ko,” said Retamar, who finished with 25 excellent sets and scored five points.“Sabi ko na rin kay coach, pag nasa likod na ako. Kasi alam ko mas kaya ni Belostrino yung ganoong part. Tiwala naman ako sa condition ni coach Dante. Maganda pa yung naging resulta, naka-ace pa si Belostrino.”
(During that time, I know that my team needs me. I also told coach that when I rotated to the back row, he has to sub me out because I know that Belostrino can deliver in crucial moments. It was a good result because he scored an ace.)
NU setter Josh Retamar. UAAP PHOTO
Retamar appreciated the gesture of Ybanez, saying all is well as accidents are sometimes part of the game.
“Siyempre, magkaibigan naman kami and hindi naman siya sinasadya. Parang pumasok lang siya, and pag-land ko, nag-bend tuhod niya, tumama sa tuhod ko. Nag-sorry naman siya and part naman ng game yun. Thank you kay Ybanez kasi chineck niya pa rin ako,” he said.
(We are friends and it wasn’t intentional. He approached (the net) and then when I landed his knee bent so it crashed into my knee. He said sorry and it’s part of the game. Thank you to Ybanez because he still checked on me.)
Ybanez, who scored 28 points for UST, took the blame for the incident.
Ybanez says all is well with Retamar after their accidental collision. #UAAPSeason85 pic.twitter.com/xVTjB4Gm91
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) May 10, 2023
“Sa totoo lang po aminado ako mali ko po yun pero siyempre hindi ko po yun sinadya kaya ayun nilapitan ko si Kuya Owa kasi pumasok yung tuhod ko. Nasaktan din naman ako pero si Kuya Owa siyempre humingi naman ako ng sorry and ayun part ng game,” Ybanez said.
(Honestly, it was my mistake but I didn’t mean to do it. I approached Kuya Owa when our knees collided. It also hurt me but I still said sorry and it’s part of the game.)
The 23-year-old playmaker said he’s still in pain after the postgame press conference but he insists that he will play in Game 2 on Sunday when NU tries to complete a perfect 16-0 season and capture its fifth overall title.
But the NU captain stressed that they have to learn from this game after the Golden Spikers pushed them to their limits, crawling back from a 0-2 deficit.
“I’m happy with the result but this game is a huge factor for us because we learned the things that we still have to work on, especially containing the attacks of Ybanez, which has been the difference of this game,” said Retamar in Filipino.
“We’ll have the same mindset but we will move on and forget this result in Game 1. We will scout them and make the necessary adjustments. We’re excited for Game 2, trying to get that championship,” he added.