FILE–Alas Pilipinas’ Buds Buddin in the SEA VLeague second leg. –SAVA PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Despite the late call-up, Buds Buddin continued to impress in his Alas Pilipinas debut and emerged as the back-to-back Best Outside Hitter in the SEA V.League.
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 in leg 2 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
The National University star was the lone Filipino to receive an individual award in the second leg, headlined by Thailand’s second MVP Napadet Bhinijdee.
READ: Buddin, a last-minute call-up, shines for Alas Pilipinas
After losing their first two games in the Indonesia leg, Buddin scored five of his 24 points in the fifth set to complete Alas’ come-from-behind 27-25, 14-25, 22-25, 25-21, 15-12 win over Vietnam and end the regional tournament with back-to-back bronze finishes.
The 23-year-old spiker stepped up in Bagunas’ absence, emerging as the Philippines’ leading scorer anew with 13.7 points in three games to share the Best Outside Hitter honors with Indonesia’s Farhan Halim.
Second leg MVP Bhinijdee, who also earned the Best Opposite Spiker plum, led Thailand to another perfect title run after beating host Indonesia, 25-20, 26-24, 22-25, 28-26, in the gold medal match.
READ: Alas Pilipinas’ Buddin, Malabunga hailed in SEA VLeague
1st Leg MVP Kissada Nilsawai of Thailand was one of the two Best Middle Blockers with Vietnam’s Tran Duy Tuyen. The Best Setter was Indonesia’s Dio Zulfikri, while the Best Libero was Thai Tanapat Charoensuk.
In the Manila leg last week, Buddin was honored with 2nd Best Middle Blocker Kim Malabunga.
The Philippines had three individual awardees in SEA V.League history after former member Steve Rotter won the Best Opposite Spiker in the second leg last year.