CANDON, Ilocos Sur — Cambodia is the new king of the Southeast Asian V Cup.
After going winless in last year’s tournament, Cambodia completed a remarkable turnaround by capturing the 2026 SEA V Cup first leg title with a stunning 25-23, 28-26, 23-25, 22-25, 15-11 upset of Indonesia on Sunday at the Candon City Arena here.
The duo of eventual MVP Voeurn Veasna and Kuon Mom proved unstoppable, leading Cambodia to its first-ever SEA V Cup championship in just its third appearance in the tournament.
Veasna, who also earned Best Outside Spiker honors, poured in 29 points built on 26 attacks, two aces, and one block. His biggest contribution came in the deciding fifth set, where he sealed the championship with a powerful hit off the Indonesian blockers in the regional tournament hosted by Candon City Mayor Eric Singson and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and the Philippine Olympic Committee.
“So, last year we did not get a single win but this year Cambodia did it, and then we got a championship in our second time in Candon City,” said Cambodia head coach Sameth Nouv through an interpreter.
“I would like to show the new generation of Cambodian volleyball that this gold medal can be achieved with hard work,” he added.
Mom added 27 points as Cambodia completed one of the biggest turnarounds in the tournament’s history.
Cambodian captain Suon Channaro, who was named Best Setter, expertly orchestrated the offense while contributing five points.
Best Outside Spiker Farhan Halim led Indonesia with 23 points, while Boy Arabi added 22 in the losing effort.
Completing the tournament Dream Team were Alas Pilipinas’ Josh Ybañez as Best Libero, Truong The Kai of Vietnam, and Hendra Kurniawan of Indonesia as Best Middle Blockers, and Thailand’s Napadet Bhinijdee as Best Opposite Spiker.
Meanwhile, Thailand secured the bronze medal after outlasting Vietnam in four hard-fought sets, 23-25, 30-28, 25-20, 28-26.
Bhinijdee starred with 30 points for Thailand, while Nguyen Ngoc Thuan erupted for a match-high 32 points for Vietnam.
However, Bhinijdee received ample support as Chaiwat Thungkam chipped in 21 points and Thanat Bamrunphakdi contributed 15.
Tang Ngoc Hieu and Tran Duy Tuyen backed Thuan with 11 and 10 points, respectively.
