Josh Ybañez urges Filipino fans to back Alas Pilipinas in historic FIVB Worlds debut

From his days as a rising star with UST to becoming a key figure in the national team, Josh Ybañez is embracing the spotlight in the 2025 FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship. 

The spiker-turned-libero is relishing the chance to represent the Philippines on the global stage, something he admits he didn’t expect to come so soon.

“Of course, masaya ako, it’s an honor for us na ma-represent ‘yung Philippines for the first time sa World Championship,” Ybañez said during the MRT3 Go Live! event on Wednesday. “Happy ako na for sure, I’m gonna learn so much from our opponents and sa liga na ‘to.”

Now a crowd favorite, Ybañez is banking on Filipino fans to power the team through tough battles ahead, especially against some of the world’s top squads.

“Sana supportahan kami ng lahat ng mga Filipinos kasi syempre may USA, mga ganyan, favorite din ‘yun ng mga Pinoy, so sana supportahan nila kami,” he urged.

QUEEN OF THE WORLD

Hear from Alas Pilipinas’ Josh Ybañez as he gears up for his 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Championship debut. #AlasPilipinas #MWCH2025 @spinph pic.twitter.com/0gfb1lfBDp

— John Mark Garcia (@johnmarkdg_) September 3, 2025

While pressure comes with the territory,  the 22-year-old Ybañez has learned to embrace it as part of his growth as a player.

“Pressure constant ‘yun eh, laging nandoon yun even kahit hindi ‘yung world championship yung nilalaruan ko. Lagi pong may pressure. So ayun, inembrace ko lang and mas minamahal ko lang ‘yung ginagawa ko,” he said.

For the former UAAP MVP, the confidence to rise to this level stems from the belief of his coaches, who entrusted him with a crucial role on the team.

“Actually, at first, I really didn’t expect. But then nakita ko ‘yung trust ni coach sa akin, so parang mas naano ako na kaya ko pala. Kaya ko pala umabot sa ganong stage. So ayun, masaya ako,” he shared.

Ybañez and Alas Pilipinas will begin their campaign against world No. 42 Tunisia on September 12 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, where the team hopes to ride the energy of a passionate home crowd.

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