Aside from their bronze finish, two Alas Pilipinas players also shone individually in the 2024 Southeast Asia Men’s V.League.
At the close of the first leg, where the Philippines secured third place behind champion Thailand and second-placer Indonesia, Michaelo Buddin and Kim Malabunga were recognized for their outstanding performances in the three-day tournament.
Buddin, a national team rookie who is still in college with National University, stepped up big time with star Marck Espejo unable to join the team due to an injury, bagging the Best Outside Spiker award along with Thailand’s Bhinijdee Napadet. 
Malabunga, who plays for Criss Cross in the Spikers’ Turf, copped the Best Middle Blocker award together with Indonesia’s Quan Trong Nghia.
Thailand’s 6-foot-8 middle blocker Nilsawai Kissada was hailed as the tournament Most Valuable Player.
Vietnam also did not go empty-handed despite going winless, with Pham Van Hiep winning the Best Opposite Spiker plum.
Dio Zulfikri of Indonesia got the Best Setter recognition while Tanapat Charoensuk was named as the Best Libero.
The second leg will be in Indonesia on August 23 to 25.
