UST ‘on right track’ after rousing opener in UAAP volleyball

UST Golden Spikers’ Josh Ybanez against the NU Bulldogs in the UAAP Season 86 men’s volleyball tournament.–UAAP PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Ending defending champion National University’s 34-game winning streak may just be the first step in the University of Santo Tomas’ long road to an elusive UAAP volleyball title.

But the Golden Spikers’ big opening win proves that they are catching up to the gold standard set by the mighty Bulldogs in the UAAP men’s volleyball tournament.

UST stunned NU with a rousing 25-23, 26-24, 25-19 victory to kick off its Season 86 campaign, handing the “four-peat” seeking team’s first loss in five years.

SCHEDULE: UAAP Season 86 volleyball first round

Golden Spikers coach Odjie Mamon and his wards were on a high after the stunner but admitted they have to keep their emotions in check with still a long way to go.

“I think we’re on the right track but the UAAP has two rounds and it’s a long tournament then we have the Final Four before the championship so a lot can happen in those three months,” Mamon said in Filipino. “But we have a good program and I think the players are responding well. I’m trying to instill discipline and patience that we’re able to see from them now. I pray it continues.”

Mamon, whose team also took down NU in the preseason, said that they also beat an NU squad, which missed Michaelo Buddin due to a right thumb injury, but he believes that they are slowly getting to the level of coach Dante Alinsunurin and the Bulldogs.

UST Golden Spikers coach Odjie Mamon.–UAAP PHOTO

“We’re not getting left behind unlike the previous years. Now, we can go neck-and-neck, toe-to-toe against them,” the longtime UST coach said. “They’re undermanned right now. One of their pillars, scorer Buddin is sidelined but even if he was there we still would’ve given them a good fight.”

Josh Ybañez, who made waves last season as the rookie MVP, said they were motivated to get back at NU after being swept in the finals last year and he didn’t want to put their preseason preparation including a training camp in Japan to waste.

“It’s also our motivation to get back at NU and I think it’s a good start for the team to win against the defending champions. It boosts our morale and confidence,” said Ybañez, who led the way with 13 points. 

“We had a tough preseason but we knew that all our hard work would yield good results What happened in the offseason is over and we’re focused on the main event which is the UAAP. This is what we’ve been preparing for so long.”

Ybañez is aware that there is still a long way to go for the Golden Spikers and they have a lot to improve on even after their big win over NU. But once they master Mamon’s system and build a stronger bond, he believes they will be a dangerous team.

“Our coaches built a great program this Season 86. The moment we perfect the system or program of the coaches, the rest of the league will have a hard time against us,” he said.