![\"UST](\"https:\/\/sports.inquirer.net\/files\/2023\/05\/UAAP-85-MVB-F4-UST-vs.-FEU-Gboy-De-Vega-6620-620x413.jpg\")
<\/p>\nUST Golden Spikers. UAAP PHOTO<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
MANILA, Philippines\u2014Josh Ybanez and GBoy De Vega need University of Santo Tomas to point out no concern in opposition to unbeaten defending champion National University once they kick off the UAAP Season 85 males\u2019s volleyball Finals on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.<\/p>\n
The Golden Spikers are returning to the finals for the primary time in 11 years in opposition to the well-rested Bulldogs, who swept the 14-game elimination spherical.<\/p>\n
Game 1 of the best-of-three title sequence is ready at 2 p.m.\u2014the lone UAAP volleyball match of the day.<\/p>\n
Standing in the best way of the younger UST crew are NU\u2019s former nationwide crew gamers Joshua Retamar and Nico Almendras beneath four-time UAAP champion coach Dante Alinsunurin, who haven\u2019t dropped a match for 32 consecutive video games courting again to the opening day of Season 81 in 2019.<\/p>\n
But Ybanez, a powerful contender for the MVP and prime rookie award, is unfazed in opposition to the Bulldogs, who swept them within the elimination spherical and are searching for a fourth straight crown.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlam po naming kaya namin sila and they are beatable. Natatalo din sila and of course, kailangan namin pagkatiwalaan yung sistema ng coaches namin,\u201d mentioned the rookie sensation after eliminating FEU within the stepladder semifinals on Sunday. \u201cTatapangan pa namin lalo parang gawin namin inspirasyon yung mga talo namin sa kanila nung elimination round para mas pagigihan and pagsikapan pa namin sa Finals.\u201d<\/p>\n
(We know that we are able to (win in opposition to them) and they’re beatable. We must belief the system of our coaches. We must be braver and use our losses within the elimination spherical as inspiration for us to work more durable and play higher within the Finals.)<\/p>\n
![\"Josh](\"https:\/\/sports.inquirer.net\/files\/2023\/05\/UAAP-85-MVB-F4-UST-vs.-FEU-Josh-Ybanez-6598-620x413.jpg\")
<\/p>\nUST\u2019s Josh Ybanez. UAAP PHOTO<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
De Vega, who led the balanced assault of UST with 16 factors, hitting 14 of his 29 spike makes an attempt and firing two aces of their knockout semis sport in opposition to FEU, has the identical mentality as Ybanez.<\/p>\n
\u201cYung mentality namin is no team is unbeatable kahit kami natatalo kami so all the more reason para magtraining kami and mas intense at saka mas marami pang dapat pagaralan para pagharap namin sa NU wala na kaming excuses,\u201d De Vega mentioned. \u201cAt least pagharap namin doon masasabi namin na ready kami pageensayuhan pa ba namin\u201d<\/p>\n
(No crew is unbeatable. That\u2019s our mentality. Even our crew loses so extra motive for us to coach more durable and present extra depth. We nonetheless have rather a lot to be taught and enhance so there aren’t any excuses in opposition to NU. We must be prepared.)<\/p>\n
UST coach Odjie Mamon and wing spiker Jay Rack De la Noche will return in time for Game 1, coming off the lads\u2019s nationwide volleyball crew\u2019s fifth-place end within the thirty second Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia, which ended on Monday.<\/p>\n
UST is eyeing its first crown since Season 73 in 2011 when it accomplished a historic \u201cfour-peat.\u201d NU can also be gunning for its fifth general in addition to the lads\u2019s program\u2019s first-ever season sweep.<\/p>\n
The Golden Spikers and Bulldogs collide in a championship sequence for the primary time within the Final Four period.<\/p>\n