JOSH Ybañez added another feather to his cap when he was named the best libero of Leg 2 of the 2025 SEA V.League in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Ybanez performed impressively enough to win his first international award - and the first individual citation of his career in a non-scoring position.
READ: Alas Men yield to Vietnam, misses out on podium in SEA VL Leg 2
Ybañez, 22, has two MVP plums and two best outside spiker citations in UAAP men’s volleyball with the UST Golden Spikers. He was even hailed rookie-MVP back in Season 85.
He was tapped to join Alas Pilipinas last year, but not to exploit his scoring prowess in the college ranks.
His relatively short 5-foot-7 stature prompted the national team to deploy him as a libero as he’s also known for his sharp floor defense.
Ybañez showed exactly why the role switch-up was a worthwhile gamble as he normed nine excellent receptions and 7.5 excellent digs in the second leg of the regional showcase.
In the first leg, it was Leo Ordiales who was feted as the best opposite spiker. Like Ybañez, it was also his first award in international play.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
