Cambodia men’s national volleyball team at the Philippine-hosted 2026 SEA V Cup. Photo from SAVA
CANDON, Ilocos Sur — Cambodia completed a stunning upset of Indonesia, 25-23, 28-26, 23-25, 22-25, 15-11, to clinch its breakthough SEA V Cup title on Sunday night at the Candon City Arena here.
Cambodia had gone a combined 0-8 in both legs of the 2025 edition, then known as the SEA V.League. But they made an emphatic statement to the rest of their Southeast Asian neighbors this time as they triumphed the tournament presented by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
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They defeated no less than Indonesia—a three-time titlist in the regional tourney and the reigning AVC Men's Cup champion.
Cambodia also avenged its pool phase loss to Indonesia, and took down another powerhouse, Thailand, in the semifinals to advance to the title stage of the tilt co-presented by the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and Candon City Mayor Eric Singson.
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"Amazing feeling because we can go on the team that can win the AVC. Really amazing. We can't believe this, but we did it," said Voeurn Veasna, who was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Candon leg.
Veasna delivered 29 points, while Kuon Mom added 27 points to lead Cambodia past the Southeast Asian powerhouse.
Thailand men's national volleyball team at the Philippine-hosted 2026 SEA V Cup. Photo from SAVA
Meanwhile, previous Leg 1 champion Thailand salvaged its SEA V Cup campaign with a bronze medal finish, overcoming Vietnam, 23-25, 30-28, 25-20, 28-26, behind the team-high 30-point output of Nadapet Bhinijdee in the third place match.
They spoiled the 32-point explosion of Vietnam’s Nguyen Ngoc Thuan, as the losing side fell to a fourth-place result—their worst placement since 2024.