National University standout Michaelo “Buds” Buddin has finally gotten his Alas Pilipinas dream fulfilled – and he has no plans of stopping there.
At 23 years old, Michaelo “Buds” Buddin has established himself as a rising star in Philippine men’s volleyball, being a two-time UAAP champion and one-time Best Outside Spiker with the NU Bulldogs under Dante Alinsunurin.
And last August, Buddin saw a lifelong dream fulfilled after being called up to the Alas Pilipinas men’s team for the SEA V.League.
But it was far from a sureball path, as Buddin was left out of the original 21-man pool unveiled ahead of the AVC Challenge Cup. Consequently, he was left demoralized by this exclusion.
“Actually, nung naglabas ng pool, nung wala ko sa pool, parang, umayaw na rin ako eh. Kasi, nagka-injury ako nang ilang beses, diba nung offseason? Tapos, paglabas ng pool, wala ako,” recalled Buddin, who suffered a tweaked ankle and right hand fracture that sidelined him for most of UAAP Season 86.
“Alam mo yun? Dream mo maging national team tapos wala ka sa pool. So, parang, napanghinaan ng loob…pero thankful ako sa family ko na andyan sila lagi na i-cheer up ako.”
Turns out, the opportunity was only delayed, and not denied. Buds Buddin ended up winning his second UAAP title after a timely comeback for NU’s four-peat bid. The Bulldogs’ full form also returned with him as he further solidified his status as the next great NU product.
And the rest is history. Alas Pilipinas came calling, and Buddin was inserted as a late addition following an injury to ace Marck Espejo.
“Ayun, lahat naman ng effort and sacrifices ko nagbunga naman lahat. And, thank you sa mga coaches kasi na-appreciate nila ‘yung effort ko. Ayun, ‘yung trust nila sa akin, ‘di ko lang sila binigo,” Buddin reflects.
“Kasi gusto ko kasi lahat maging worth it eh. So, dati dream ko lang. Andyan na ako. So, ayaw ko nang pakawalan. Lahat ng opportunity talaga na binibigay sa akin, ginagrab ko ‘yun, ayaw ko pakawalan.”
Indeed, Buddin repaid the trust given to him by the Angiolino Frigoni-led coaching staff. Despite being a late addition, he shone in the SEA V.League after becoming one of the Nationals’ main gunners.
Buddin also won back-to-back Best Outside Hitter nods following Alas’ bronze medal finishes in the pocket tourney.
“Nung sinabi ‘yung pangalan ko na best outside hitter, sobrang saya ako na syempre, hindi mo na expect e. Kasi syempre late addition lang ako and ganoon agad yung na-achieve ko, diba? So, thank you sa mga coaches ko and teammates na andyan sila lagi na i-guide ako, i-push ako everytime,” he said.
The grind continues
Weeks after the SEA V.League, Buds Buddin remained with the Nationals as they took on the Osaka Bluteon (formerly the Panasonic Panthers) in a pair of exhibition matches. It was quite the experience, as he faced off against Paris Olympians Yuji Nishida and Tomohiro Yamomoto.
While initially starstruck, Buddin remained a steady contributor, on top of bringing home some valuable learnings from the Japanese stars.
“Siguro ‘yung no pressure. Chill lang sa loob ng court, and laging naguusap. ‘Yung communication din, number one sa kanila ‘yon and yun ‘yung need [namin] i-improve, ‘yung communications,” he said. “Less pressure pagdating sa mga crucial game. Dapat mahandle namin ‘yung ganoong klaseng game kasi pag nagkaroon kami ng crucial game, nagkakaroon ng pressure.”
Alas Men’s will now continue their preparations for the FIVB Men’s World Championships in September next year. Alongside the need for experience, will be the process of finalizing a roster for the homestand.
It’ll be a matter of competing for a spot, but it’s a challenge Buds Buddin will willingly take on. After all, why stop now that he’s living in his dream situation?
“Siyempre, super excited [sa World Championships], diba? Kung dati, sa kalye ka lang naglalaro, ngayon, nag-UAAP ka, nag-national team ka and after nun, World Championship. So, sobrang saya, kasi kung i-imagine mo…kung dati, naglalaro ka lang wala ka sapatos, tapos ngayon kumpleto lahat ng gamit. Tapos ‘yung mga kalaban mo is mga world champion and mga iniidolo mo,” said the spiker out of Palawan.
“So sobrang excited ako. Alam ko may pressure samin na kalabanin sila kasi syempre sila ‘yung pinakamataas na teams. And ngayon, may one year pa kami para mag-prepare. So kung ano ‘yung kakayanin namin, ‘yun lang kami. Hindi namin i-push kung ano ‘yung sobra.”
Banner image from the Southeast Asian Volleyball Association on Facebook.