With some of their biggest stars gaining international experience with Alas Pilipinas, the University of Santo Tomas-Gameville squad is turning a potential setback into a chance to shine in the 2025 Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference.
Josh Ybanez, JJ Macam, and Al-Bukarie Sali are all in Taiwan with the national team, leaving the Golden Spikers without some of their usual firepower.
But head coach Gboy De Vega sees the situation as a golden opportunity for the remaining players to step up, gain valuable court experience, and build confidence against both local and international competition.
“Talking about pressure, every game laging may pressure kasi naniniwala ako na good naman ‘yung pressure para sa isang player,” said De Vega. “Kasi kapag hindi ka natatakot, masyado kang confident, so kapag nabigyan ka ng isa at nagkamali ka, mabilis kang ma-down. So if may pressure ka, then ma-conquer mo siya, nakakataas talaga ng morale, and nakakabalik ka talaga sa rhythm.”
Even without Ybanez, Macam, and Sali, De Vega believes the team has the depth and resilience to make up for the lost production. He sees the Invitational Conference not just as a tournament, but as a stepping stone for the Golden Spikers’ growth ahead of the UAAP season.
“Ito namang liga na ‘to, para sa’min sobrang laking tulong kasi, syempre, bago kami lumaban sa UAAP, makakalaban namin ‘yung mga semi-professional teams dito sa’tin, especially ‘yung mga iba, dating national team,” De Vega explained.
“Happy and thankful kasi makakalaban ‘yung mga malalakas na teams.”
