Alas Pilipinas Men's Josh Ybañez at the SEA V.League 2025. SAVA/Facebook
MANILA — Josh Ybañez is not minding the pressure as he aims a spot in Alas Pilipinas' final roster for the FIVB Men's World Championship 2025.
“Pressure is constant,” Ybañez acknowledged in a statement made available to the media by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF).
Ybañez, an outside spiker for University of Santo Tomas, is embracing his original role in the national team, playing as libero for coach Angiolino Frigoni.
He recently won a Best Libero plum in the 2025 SEA Men's V.League, a proof that he can do multiple positions in the sport.
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“It’s always there, even if it’s not the World Championship. There’s always pressure. So I just embrace it and focus on loving what I do.”
In case he gets selected in the final 12, the 22-year-old gunner would be just as happy and honored to be repping the flag, defending home turf in the 32-nation contest.
“It’s an honor for us to represent the Philippines for the first time at the World Championship, and as they say, this is history. I’m happy, and for sure, I’m going to learn so much from our opponents and from the tournament itself,” he added.
READ: FIVB Worlds: Alas Pilipinas to face Wassim Ben Tara-less Tunisia on opening day
The Philippines will open its campaign on September 12 against Tunisia—now scheduled at 4:30 p.m.
Tickets are available at https://www.philippineswch2025.com/about/tickets.