Josh Ybañez

Josh Ybañez
Ybañez in 2025
Personal information
NationalityFilipino
Born (2003-03-25) March 25, 2003
General Santos, Philippines
Height170 cm (5 ft 7 in)
College / UniversityUniversity of Santo Tomas
Volleyball information
PositionOutside Hitter, Libero
Current teamUST Golden Spikers
Number13
National team
2024–Philippines
Honours
Men's volleyball
Representing  Philippines
Southeast Asian Games
Bronze medal – third place2025 BangkokTeam
SEA V.League
Bronze medal – third place2024 ManilaTeam
Bronze medal – third place2024 YogyakartaTeam

Josh Ybañez (born March 25, 2003) is a Filipino volleyball player. He is currently playing for the UST Golden Spikers in the UAAP as an outside hitter. He is also an active member of the national team playing as the libero.

Early life

Josh Ybañez was born on March 25, 2003 in General Santos, Philippines.[1] His brothers inspired him to took up volleyball.[2]

Career

Collegiate

Ybañez joined the Golden Spikers of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP). Under the mentorship of head coach Odjie Mamon, Ybanez started as a bench player for the Golden Spikers at the 2022 V-League Collegiate Challenge.[3]

He made his first UAAP appearance in the men's volleyball with UST Golden Spikers in UAAP Season 85 in 2023, where they bagged the silver medal. He also awarded as the Rookie of the Year and Season's Most Valuable Player (MVP).[4][5] The NU Bulldogs were champions for that season.[6]

UST finished as runners-up again to NU in Season 86 in 2024.[6]

In 2025, UST finished outside of the Final Four in UAAP Season 87.[6] Ybanez played at the 2025 V-League Collegiate Challenge where UST finished as semifinalists.[7] He then played for the Golden Spikers (as UST–Gameville) at the Spikers' Turf.[8]

In UAAP Season 88 in 2026, the Golden Spikers once again finished outside the Final Four, but Ybañez was praised by UST's coaches for "carrying" the team.[6] He received his third-ever MVP award as was also named Best Outside Spiker.[9]

Ybañez has committed to exhaust his final year of college eligibility and will play in UAAP Season 89.[9]

National team

Ybañez has played for the Philippine national team as a libero.[10][11] He debuted for his country at the 2024 AVC Men's Challenge Cup in Bahrain.[11]

He was part of the roster of the host country's team at the 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship.[10]

Ybañez debuted at the SEA Games in the 2025 edition in Thailand.[10] The Philippines finished as bronze medallists.[12]

Personal life

Ybañez is open about being LGBTQ.[13][14] He has disclosed his struggles dealing with self-esteem growing up and has pursued inspiring other LGBTQ youth through his role as a volleyball player.[2]

Awards

Individuals

Year League Season/Conference Award Ref
2023 UAAP 85 Season's Most Valuable Player [15]
Rookie of the Year
1st Best Outside Hitter
V-League Collegiate Conference's Most Valuable Player [16]
PNVF Challenge Cup Most Valuable Player [17]
1st Best Outside Spiker
2024 UAAP 86 Season's Most Valuable Player [18]
1st Best Outside Hitter
2025 SEA V.League Leg 2 Best Libero [19]
2026 UAAP 88 Season's Most Valuable Player [20]
1st Best Outside Spiker
SEA V Cup Leg 1 Best Libero [21]

Collegiate

UST Golden Spikers
Year League Season/Conference Title Ref
2022 V-League Collegiate Runner-up [22]
2023 UAAP 85 Runner-up [23]
V-League Collegiate Runner-up [24]
PNVF Challenge Cup Champions [25]
2024 UAAP 86 Runner-up [26]
2025 UAAP 87 3rd place [27]
V-League Collegiate 3rd place [28]
2026 UAAP 88 3rd place [29]

National Team

Year League Season/Conference Title Ref
2024 SEA V.League Leg 1 3rd place [30]
SEA V.League Leg 2 3rd place [30]
2025 SEA Games Indoor Volleyball 3rd place [31]

References

  1. ↑ "Players' Database - Josh Ybanez". FIVB. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  2. 1 2 Garcia, Josh (June 22, 2026). "Josh Ybañez turns struggle into strength for LGBTQIA+ youth". Sports Interactive Network Philippines. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  3. ↑ "With Josh Ybañez at the forefront, UST Tiger Spikers show bright future". Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  4. ↑ "Men volley finals:NU Bulldogs vs. UST Golden Spikers". Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  5. ↑ "UST star Josh Ybañez is UAAP men's Rookie MVP". Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Javier, Paige (April 30, 2026). "'You carried us': Coach reassures Josh Ybañez after UST's Final 4 exit". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  7. ↑ Tuazon, Ernest (October 2, 2025). "Unsure if it's his last year, Josh Ybanez plans to make most of senior year at UST". Tiebreaker Times. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Spikers' Turf PC POW Ybanez powers UST-Gameville's surprise run". Spikers' Turf. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  9. 1 2 Javier, Paige (May 9, 2026). "After receiving third MVP trophy, Ybañez confirms return to UST for Season 89". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  10. 1 2 3 Agcaoili, Lance (December 5, 2025). "'Die for the ball' is Josh Ybañez battle cry in SEA Games debut". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  11. 1 2 Agcaoili, Lance (August 19, 2024). "Josh Ybañez flourishing as libero for Alas Pilipinas". INQUIRER.net. Retrieved September 12, 2025.
  12. ↑ Agcaoili, Lance (December 19, 2025). "Alas Pilipinas men return to SEA Games podium with bronze". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  13. ↑ Agcaoili, Lance (June 11, 2025). "Josh Ybañez glad to team up with Ken Batas at Alas Pilipinas". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  14. ↑ Tolosa, James (June 11, 2025). "Josh Ybañez celebrates Pride Month with Kennedy Batas: 'May ka-sister na ako sa national team'". Retrieved July 2, 2026.
  15. ↑ "UST's Ybañez bags UAAP MVP, Rookie of the Year awards". Philippine Star. May 14, 2023. Retrieved May 14, 2023.
  16. ↑ "Ybañez, Dapol share MVP honors". Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  17. ↑ "Josh Ybañez promises faster fearless play in sophomore year". Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  18. ↑ "UAAP: UST star Josh Ybañez repeats as MVP to lead Season 86 award winners". onesports.ph. Retrieved September 12, 2025.
  19. ↑ "Alas mainstay Josh Ybañez wins best libero in SEA V.League Leg 2". Spin.ph. Retrieved September 12, 2025.
  20. ↑ "UAAP: UST star Josh Ybañez clinches third men's MVP crown". Inquirer.net. April 23, 2026. Retrieved May 7, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Alas Pilipinas' Josh Ybañez wins Best Libero anew in SEA V Cup". Inquirer.net. Retrieved July 22, 2026.
  22. ↑ "NU outlasts UST to capture V-League men's collegiate crown". Retrieved December 19, 2025.
  23. ↑ "NU turns back UST to close in on three peat". Retrieved March 20, 2024.
  24. ↑ "La Salle foils UST in 4, cops men's crown". vleague.ph. The V-League. September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
  25. ↑ Malanum, Jean (November 26, 2023). "UST, CSB pocket PNVF Challenge Cup titles". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
  26. ↑ "UAAP: NU Bulldogs complete rare 4-peat after closing out UST in Game 2". Retrieved December 19, 2025.
  27. ↑ "UAAP: NU beats UST, forges title duel with FEU in UAAP men's volleyball". Retrieved December 19, 2025.
  28. ↑ "UAAP: V-League: Golden Spikers capture bronze with sweep of Ateneo". Retrieved December 19, 2025.
  29. ↑ "Golden Spikers' title drought goes on as Bulldogs hand them early Final Four exit". Retrieved May 7, 2026.
  30. 1 2 Garcia, John Mark (August 18, 2024). "Alas Men take SEA V.League bronze medal after loss to Thailand". Retrieved December 19, 2025.
  31. ↑ "Alas Pilipinas men rally past Vietnam for 2nd SEA VLeague bronze". Retrieved December 19, 2025.
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