By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Alas Pilipinas men’s national volleyball team members Michaelo Buddin and Kim Malabunga were given individual awards during the recently concluded Southeast Asia Volleyball League Leg 1 tournament held at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Following a bronze medal finish against the best volleyball teams in Southeast Asia, the organizers of the tournament handed Buddin the Best Outside Spiker award while Malabunga won the Best Middle Blocker award.
Buddin, who was given heavy minutes when the SEA V. League Leg 1 kicked off due to the absence of primary spiker Marck Espejo, stepped up when Alas needed him the most.
The product of the National University (NU) volleyball program was unstoppable for Alas during their three-game campaign, top-scoring the national team.
Aside from Espejo’s absence, Bryan Bagunas’ late injury also boosted Buddin’s confidence after becoming the primary offensive option for Alas.
Meanwhile, Malabunga, a veteran member of the national team during the past five years, displayed his great nose for the ball on the defensive end.
Malabunga won the Best Middle Blocker of Leg 1 alongside Quan Trong Nghia of Indonesia and will have the chance to win another distinction when the second leg kicks off in the upcoming days.
Alas concluded its SEA V. League campaign with a win-loss record of 1-2, winning its opener against Vietnam then dropped its last two against Indonesia and Thailand.
The PHL men’s national squad will still have a chance for a better finish as the SEA V. League Leg 2 will start on August 23, 2024, to be held in Indonesia.
