Thai star apologizes after losing to Vietnam volleyball team in SEA V.Cup 2026 final

Boonyarid Wongtorn, a Thai volleyball standout, apologized after the defeat against the Vietnamese men's volleyball team in the championship match of the second leg of the SEA V.Cup 2026.

The Vietnam men's volleyball team won the SEA V.Cup for the first time after defeating Thailand 3-2 in the second leg final held in Jakarta, Indonesia. Vietnam lost the first set 22-25 but rebounded to win 25-23 and 25-19, taking a 2-1 lead. Thailand dominated the fourth set 25-15, forcing a decisive fifth set.

In the fifth set, Vietnam showed composure, coming from behind to win 15-10, ending the match after more than two hours. Ngoc Thuan continued to shine in attack, while Duy Tuyen and The Khai contributed crucial points, helping Vietnam claim their first SEA V.Cup 2026 title.

After the match, Thailand's setter Boonyarid Wongtorn (born 1998) apologized: "We couldn't perform as we had trained. I admit that the whole team needs to play more carefully and thoroughly. I apologize to everyone. I am also sad and disappointed, no less than you."

According to Volleybox, Boonyarid Wongtorn was the MVP of the 2025/26 Thai Men's Volleyball League. He was also the best setter of the past season in the Thai league.

After defeating Thailand 3-2 in the final to win the SEA V.Cup 2026, the Vietnam men's volleyball team continued to impress by claiming three of the eight individual awards at the tournament. Most notably, outside hitter Nguyen Ngoc Thuan won a double: MVP and Best Outside Hitter.

Ngoc Thuan finished the tournament with 98 points, the highest among all participants. In the final alone, he scored 31 points, including 27 attack points and 4 blocks, playing a key role in Vietnam's victory over Thailand after five intense sets.

The remaining individual award for Vietnam went to Tran Duy Tuyen, who was named Best Middle Blocker. The middle blocker performed consistently throughout the tournament and scored 13 points in the final.

The other five awards were shared among other teams. Thailand won three with Boonyarid Wongtorn (Best Setter), Napadet Bhinijdee (Best Opposite), and Pakkapong Kwangnok (Best Libero). Cambodia's Voeurn Veasna shared the Best Outside Hitter award, while Indonesia's Hendra Kurniawan was named Best Middle Blocker.