Jakarta, July 22 — In what proved to be one of the most hotly contested editions of the SEA Men’s V.League yet, Indonesia emerged as overall champions of the 2025 tournament after a commanding second leg performance on home soil in Jakarta. The tournament, which featured defending champions Thailand, an increasingly competitive Vietnam, host Philippines, and debutants Cambodia, confirmed the rising standard of volleyball across Southeast Asia.
The two-leg round-robin event — held in Candon, Philippines (July 9–13) and Jakarta, Indonesia (July 16–20) — saw momentum swing from the more seasoned Thailand to a re-energized Indonesian squad that went undefeated in the second leg.
🔥 Tournament Recap
🇵🇭 Leg 1 – Candon, Philippines
Thailand showed early intent, defeating Indonesia 3–1 in the opener and finishing top of the table. Vietnam produced a gritty campaign, pushing Indonesia to five sets, while Philippines delighted home fans with a straight-sets win over Vietnam but struggled to maintain consistency. Cambodia, in their maiden V.League appearance, fought hard but ended without a win.
Final Standings (Leg 1):
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Thailand (3–1, 9 pts)
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Indonesia (3–1, 8 pts)
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Vietnam (2–2, 7 pts)
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Philippines (1–3, 3 pts)
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Cambodia (0–4, 1 pt)
🏅 MVP: Amorntep Konhan (Thailand)
🇮🇩 Leg 2 – Jakarta, Indonesia
With the pressure on at home, Indonesia responded with ferocity, winning all four of their matches — including pulsating five-set victories over the Philippines and Thailand. Vietnam impressed once again, notably stunning Thailand 3–2 and edging the Philippines 3–1.
Final Standings (Leg 2):
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Indonesia (4–0, 10 pts)
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Vietnam (3–1, 8 pts)
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Thailand (2–2, 7 pts)
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Philippines (1–3, 5 pts)
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Cambodia (0–4, 0 pts)
🏅 MVP: Boy Arnez Arabi (Indonesia)
🎙️ Coach & Player Reactions
🗣️ Coach Jiang Jie (Indonesia):
“We knew after Candon that we had to be perfect at home. The boys showed heart and improved technically in the blocking department. Winning all four games, especially that thriller against Thailand, is a testament to our preparation and mental strength.”
🗣️ Boy Arnez Arabi (Indonesia), Leg 2 MVP:
“Playing in front of home fans gave me a boost. Every set mattered, and we fought for every point. This victory belongs to the whole team — from our libero to the last man on the bench.”
🗣️ Coach Park Ki-won (Vietnam):
“We are closing the gap. Our five-set win over Thailand shows our growth. We need to sharpen our service game, but we are on the right track.”
🗣️ Amorntep Konhan (Thailand), Leg 1 MVP:
“The team started strong, but we lost focus in Jakarta. Credit to Indonesia and Vietnam — they’ve really improved. We’ll bounce back.”
⭐ Player Performances of Note
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Boy Arnez Arabi (Indonesia): Proved unstoppable in Leg 2, delivering kill after kill and rallying the crowd behind the team.
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Rivan Nurmulki (Indonesia): Consistent and clinical at the net, offering stability during crunch points.
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Nguyen Van Nam (Vietnam): Set the tempo for Vietnam with clever distribution and intelligent floor defense.
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Amorntep Konhan (Thailand): The veteran opposite hitter led Leg 1 with power, precision, and poise.
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Steven Rotoni (Philippines): Sparked home support in Candon with a 21-point match against Vietnam.
🌍 What This Means for Southeast Asia
With Indonesia’s resurgence, Vietnam’s strong tactical evolution, and Thailand’s consistent pedigree, the 2025 SEA V.League solidified its role as a key pre-SEA Games litmus test.
📈 Key Takeaways:
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Indonesia’s bench depth and mental toughness were tournament-defining.
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Vietnam’s youth pipeline is producing results, with several under-23 players holding their own.
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Thailand’s transition phase might require tactical rethinking with younger blood on the horizon.
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Philippines, though unpredictable, remain dangerous on home soil and with better cohesion could contend seriously by 2026.
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Cambodia’s entry is a major step in regional development. Though winless, they earned praise for effort and discipline.
🧭 The Road Ahead
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World Rankings Impact: Indonesia and Vietnam are set to climb in AVC and FIVB standings following this campaign.
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Talent Development: Several breakout performers are expected to be scouted by pro leagues in Japan, Korea, and Europe.
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SEA Games 2026 (Malaysia): This V.League served as a preview of what’s to come in the region’s biggest multi-sport event.
“This is no longer a two-team race,” said ASEAN Volleyball Federation technical director Thomas Lim. “Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand are now trading punches, and that’s what the SEA V.League was meant to deliver.”
🏐 Final Standings – Combined Table
| Team | Wins | Total Points | Legs Won |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indonesia | 7 | 18 | 🏆 Leg 2 |
| Thailand | 5 | 16 | 🏆 Leg 1 |
| Vietnam | 5 | 15 | — |
| Philippines | 2 | 8 | — |
| Cambodia | 0 | 1 | — |
📸 Visual Highlights
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🇮🇩 Indonesia celebrating a 15–13 fifth-set win over Thailand in front of a packed Jakarta crowd.
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🇻🇳 Vietnam’s bench erupting after sealing the comeback vs. Thailand.
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🇰🇭 Cambodia’s players bowing to fans after their final match — a symbolic first step in international volleyball.
📰 Editor’s Note
The 2025 SEA Men’s V.League didn't just crown a champion — it lit a fire. From the thunder of Jakarta to the passion in Candon, this was volleyball at its rawest and most promising. If this is a preview of the SEA Games to come, fans across the region are in for something special.
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