Buddin claims Best Outside Hitter anew in SEA V.League Leg 2

It has been an incredible Alas Pilipinas stint for Michaelo “Buds” Buddin as he received another individual award, winning Best Outside Hitter during the second leg of the Southeast Asian Volleyball League (SEA V.League) held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

Buddin, who stepped up for the Philippines after missing injured captain Bryan Bagunas, earned his second international individual award to add to their bronze medal finish.

Buddin’s strong play helped Alas Men secure a podium sweep in this year’s SEA V.League, winning two bronze medals after two fourth-place finishes in 2023.

His effort was especially crucial in Leg 2’s final game where he boosted his chances of bagging the award after leading Alas to a come-from-behind victory over Vietnam, 27-25, 14-25, 22-25, 25-21, 15-12, which steered the national team to another podium finish.

Buddin scored 24 points to power Alas Pilipinas in a five-set comeback win derived from 22 successful attacks.

The National University Bulldogs star was the lone Filipino to receive an individual award in the second leg, headlined by Thailand’s second MVP Napadet Bhinijdee.

Joining Buddin as individual award winners for Leg 2 were Indonesia’s Farhan Halim as the other Best Outside Hitter, Vietnam’s Duy Tuyen Tran and Thailand’s Kissada Nilsawai as Best Middle Blockers, Indonesia’s Dio Zulfikri as Best Setter, and Thailand’s Tanapat Charoensuk as Best Libero.