For Edriel Alabar, the path to becoming a top-notch libero isn’t just about digging and passing—it’s about learning from the very best. And in UST-Gameville, that mentor comes in the form of teammate Josh Ybañez, the Golden Spikers’ star outside spiker and a seasoned libero for Alas Pilipinas.
The 20-year-old defensive specialist has quietly become a cornerstone for the University of Santo Tomas in the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference, absorbing lessons from Ybañez and turning them into tangible results on the court.
Alabar’s performance against Alpha Insurance on Friday at Paco Arena was a testament to that growth. The Golden Spikers edged the match 26-24, 25-22, 35-37, 19-25, 22-20, improving to a 3-1 record. Alabar recorded 31 excellent receptions and 23 excellent digs, while his mentor Ybañez contributed 30 excellent receptions and 20 points, showing just how potent their tandem can be.
“Sa training po, si Ate Josh lagi niya akong kinocorrect and lagi siyang nagbibigay ng tips kung paano mas maayos na maipasa ‘yung bola, ‘yung mga galaw ko kasi ang dami pang dapat baguhin and I’m happy na unti-unti na po siyang nakikita sa laro ko,” Alabar said, highlighting the patience and guidance he receives from Ybañez.
For Alabar, being under the wing of a Philippine national team libero who held his ground in the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship is more than mentorship—it’s motivation. Every training session, every match is an opportunity to emulate Ybañez’s defensive prowess.
“Every training, iniisip ko lang na walang nakaka-ace kay Ate Josh so dapat sa akin wala rin,” Alabar said, revealing his mindset of matching his mentor’s consistency and intensity.
With Ybañez set to join national team training ahead of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games, Alabar knows the responsibility of holding the fort will soon fall entirely on his shoulders. The Golden Spikers are aiming for the semifinals, where they will face two guest teams, Kindai University of Japan and ProVolley Academy of Australia, in the round-robin stage.
“Kailangan ko po talagang mag step up since ‘yun nga mawawala si Ate Josh, siguro ‘yung trust ko na lang din po sa teammates ko kasi hindi naman lahat dapat kunin ko kasi baka ako rin ‘yung mawala sa laro. Start sa training, kailangan ko rin i-help ‘yung mga teammates ko lalo na sa pasa and sa depensa,” the libero from Valencia, Bukidnon said.
