Late addition Buds Buddin seized his chance and made a resounding impact for Alas Pilipinas.
Stepping in to fill the shoes of the injured Marck Espejo, Buddin's debut was nothing short of stellar, helping the Philippines secure a bronze medal while earning accolades of his own.
Buddin's performance was a beacon of hope for the national team, who were also missing the services of ace Bryan Bagunas in their final match due to a suspected left knee injury.
The National University star, thrust into the spotlight with little preparation time, rose to the occasion with remarkable poise.
“Last, last week lang talaga ako nag-training sa kanila and ayun, sobrang thankful ako na grabe ‘yung trust sa akin ng mga coaches ko na i-first six ako. Kung ano ‘yung trabaho, ginawa ko lang and ayun nagbunga naman lahat ng pinaghirapan namin,” Buddin shared.
Buddin’s efforts on the court were notable—averaging 12.3 points per game, he quickly emerged as one of the top scorers for Alas Pilipinas.
His hard work and determination were recognized as he was named one of the Best Outside Hitters of the tournament’s first leg.
Despite the surprise of his achievement, Buddin expressed his gratitude and determination to use this recognition as motivation for the upcoming challenges.
“Sa individual award, ‘di ko inexpect talaga na ako ‘yung magkaka-award and ayun, dahil nabigyan ako, sobrang saya ko and siguro gagawin ko siyang inspirasyon para mas lalo ko pang galingan,” Buddin said.
Buddin’s success was not a solo endeavor. He credited his teammates and the coaching staff, particularly his National University mentor Dante Alinsunurin, for his smooth transition to the national team.
The support from his coaches and fellow players was instrumental in helping him adapt to the new system and deliver in crucial moments.
“Actually, nandiyan naman si Coach Dante na lagi akong gina-guide. Nung una, nahirapan ako i-adapt yung sistema nila so ayun, pati yung mga kuya ko, anjan sila para i-guide ako and unti-unti kong na-adapt yung sistema and ayun in-apply ko ng in-apply hanggang sa nakuha ko naman,” Buddin said.
As the first leg of the SEA V.League draws to a close, Buddin’s performance stands out as a testament to his potential and resilience.
With the second leg on the horizon, he’s set to continue building on his success, driven by the confidence and experience gained from his debut.
