UST Golden Spikers’ Josh Ybañez throughout a sport towards NU Bulldogs within the UAAP Season 88 males’s volleyball match. –UAAP PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Josh Ybañez unleashed 27 factors as College of Santo Tomas compelled a playoff for the twice-to-beat bonus within the UAAP Season 88 males’s volleyball Last 4 with a 30-28, 25-18, 22-25, 25-23 win over defending champion Nationwide College on Wednesday at Sensible Araneta Coliseum.
The 2-time UAAP MVP stepped up when it mattered most with an environment friendly 27-of-50 spiking clip and an amazing flooring protection of 26 wonderful receptions and 6 digs, as UST tied NU at 10-4 to drive a playoff for the No. 2 spot on Saturday on the identical venue.
READ: UAAP: Males’s remaining 4 race tightens as UST wins, NU falters
Ybañez, who was a part of the Golden Spikers who reached the finals in Seasons 85 and 86 the place they misplaced to NU, believes they’ve an opportunity to beat the six-peat-seeking Bulldogs in a digital best-of-three sequence.
Josh Ybañez and the UST Golden Spikers on dealing with the NU Bulldogs in a digital best-of-three. #UAAPSeason88 | by way of Lance Agcaoili pic.twitter.com/SnVQnas3k9
— INQUIRER Sports activities (@inquirersports) April 22, 2026
“We had a huddle earlier than leaving the courtroom and reminded one another that we nonetheless have two extra video games to win towards NU. I actually imagine we are able to do it. We’ve achieved it earlier than, so it’s undoubtedly doable to beat them, regardless of what number of occasions we face them,” mentioned Ybañez in Filipino.
The Alas Pilipinas star lauded his teammates for rising to the event of their remaining elimination spherical sport, with Trevor Valera scoring 17 factors, Jon Criz Ayco chipping in 10 factors, and setter Dux Yambao allotting 31 wonderful units.
Sherwin Umandal supplied the much-needed spark for UST, scoring all his 9 factors within the fourth set.
“I’ve at all times believed in him, even again after we had been rookies. I may see he was simply ready for the suitable time to show folks fallacious and present what he can do. I’m actually completely happy he carried out like that,” mentioned Ybañez. “For us, opposites and outdoors hitters, our mindset is to contribute in any method we are able to on the courtroom.”
NU misplaced back-to-back video games to finish the elimination, regardless of Leo Ordiales’ 17 factors. Obed Mukaba nailed eight blocks for 16 factors. Buds Buddin had 15 factors and 21 wonderful receptions, whereas Jade Disquitado chipped in 10 factors and 18 wonderful receptions.
FEU clinches twice-to-beat
FEU Tamaraws’ Amet Bituin throughout a sport towards Ateneo Blue Eagles within the UAAP Season 88 males’s volleyball match. -UAAP PHOTO
In a preview of their Last 4 duel, No.1 seed Far Jap College fended off the fourth-ranked Ateneo, 29-27, 25-23, 15-25, 25-19, to complete with a 13-1 report and a twice-to-beat bonus.
Amet Bituin powered the Tamaraws with 21 factors on 18 assaults and three blocks and tallied 14 wonderful receptions and 6 wonderful digs. Dryx Saavedra had 16 factors. Mikko Espartero completed with 13 factors and 19 wonderful receptions. Lirick Mendoza contributed 11, with workforce captain Ariel Cacao pacing them with 24 wonderful units.
“We actually ready nicely heading into the final day of Spherical 2 of the eliminations. A very powerful factor is that we keep on the identical web page. So long as we perceive what all of us need to occur, we’re okay. It solely turns into an issue after we don’t see issues the identical method,” mentioned FEU coach Eddieson Orcullo.
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Ateneo completed with a 7-7 report, returning to the Last 4 for the primary time since Season 81 in 2019.
Nigerian wing spiker Aimar Okeke led the Blue Eagles with 24 factors on 22 assaults and two blocks. Jian Salarzon had 13 factors and 25 wonderful receptions, whereas Season 87 MVP Kennedy Batas contributed 10 factors off the bench.
