In a world where true rookie sensations are few and far between, the UST Golden Spikers have unearthed a new gem in Max Macam after a consistent showing in his debut year.

Josh Ybañez has been full of praise for the 19-year-old rookie after seeing flashes of his own journey in Macam’s rise to the top.

“Ako, lagi ko sinasabi sa kanila, specifically kay Macam, na sobrang proud ako sa kanya. And I'm seeing parang myself noong rookie ako sa kanya," Ybañez told TomasinoWeb.

"I know soon, he [Macam] will achieve greater heights. Naniniwala ako sa kanya talaga,” the UAAP Season 85 Rookie of the Year added.

Ybañez ranks 12th among the league’s scorers with 137 spikes and 13 aces.

The reigning MVP also led the league with a 50.55% success rate despite missing four games due to an ankle injury.

Macam filled the void left by Ybañez’s brief absence and emerged as a reliable scorer for the Golden Spikers after ranking 15th among the league’s best scorers with a 42.75% success rate, and is second among the best servers with 0.36 aces per set.

The former UE Junior Warrior currently leads the rookie race with 76.60 statistical points and sits second behind Ateneo’s Ken Batas in the MVP ladder.

“Siguro kung mangyayari man iyon [rookie-MVP], I'm very thankful sa award na iyon. Kasi ‘yong award na iyon for me is parang second award or bonus," Macam told TomasinoWeb after an 11-point performance versus NU.

"Pero thankful din ako kay ate Josh na gina-guide niya ako every ensayo namin tsaka ‘yong knowledge niya sa volleyball na tinuturo sa amin,” Macam added.

The UST Golden Spikers are set to take on the twice-to-beat National University Bulldogs this Saturday, May 3, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.