University of Santo Tomas–Gameville is ready to show it’s more than just a “pinch-hitter” when it makes a rare appearance in the Spikers’ Turf Invitational Conference, which blasts off Monday at the FilOil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.
“Mas mataas po ang confidence namin kasi alam naming mas ahead sa amin ‘yung mga makakatapat namin sa skills,” said rising outside spiker JJ Macam during the recent press launch of the season-ending tournament at Discovery Suites in Ortigas.
UST earned its slot in the men’s premier volleyball league after V-League silver medalist De La Salle University withdrew due to academic commitments. The Golden Spikers earlier clinched the bronze medal in the V-League Collegiate Challenge, showing flashes of the form they hope to bring to a higher level of competition.
But for Macam and the rest of the young UST squad, this is no mere consolation entry – it’s a chance to prove their mettle against bigger and more seasoned club teams, including perennial title contenders Cignal and Criss Cross
“Eager kami kasi alam namin na kaya kaming talunin kapag nagre-relax kami. Kaya kailangan talaga naming mag-overload sa training araw-araw,” added Macam.
Leading the charge for UST in its first Spikers’ Turf campaign in seven years are superstar Josh Ybañez, Gboy De Vega, and 6-foot-5 opposite hitter Al-Bukharie Sali – a core expected to match up with the country’s top collegiate and club players.
Head coach Odjie Mamon said the team’s primary goal is to advance to the semifinals, where guest squads Kindai University of Japan and ProVolley Academy of Australia will enter the fray.
“Our goal is to be among the top four that make the semis,” Mamon said. “Pupukpukin ko ‘yung team para ibigay nila lahat. Rare opportunity ito – makasama sa semis pool at makaharap ang mga guest teams from Japan and Australia – so ilalaban ko talaga itong mga bata.”
The eight local teams will play a single round-robin elimination phase, with the top four advancing to the semis. For UST, it’s a chance to claim its spot among the country’s volleyball elite – and to prove that opportunity, when earned, can turn into something far greater.
