Kim Malabunga Early life
Kim Malabunga was born on May 8, 1996 in Quezon .[ 1]
Career
National team
Malabunga has played for the Philippine national team . He was part of the team which won the silver medal at the 2019 SEA Games hosted in the Philippines.[ 15]
At the first leg of the 2024 SEA Men's V.League , Malabunga was named as the tournament's second best middle blocker.[ 16]
Malabunga was part of the host country's team at the 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship . A noted part of his national career was the near win against Iran in the last group stage game where he appeared to make a crucial block. It was contested by Iran and later judged to be a net touch. The Philippines lost the match and failed to secure a historic Round of 16 appearance.[ 17] [ 14]
References
↑ "Kim Malabunga" . Players’ Database . FIVB. Retrieved April 19, 2026 .↑ Morales, Luisa (May 15, 2019). "Bagunas-led NU wins back-to-back titles in UAAP men's volley" . Tiebreaker Times . Retrieved April 19, 2026 . ↑ Li, Matthew (August 12, 2017). "Saku Capate hailed as Open Conference MVP" . Tiebreaker Times . Retrieved April 19, 2026 . ↑ Dannug, Jonash (July 24, 2019). "Jude Garcia, JP Bugaoan savor first crown as it came at expense of ex-Bulldogs" . Tiebreaker Times . Retrieved April 19, 2026 . ↑ "Air Force Go For Gold remains team to beat in Spikers' Turf" . The Philippine Star . May 25, 2019. Retrieved April 19, 2026 .↑ Dannug, Jonash (November 28, 2021). "Air Force picks up ex-PLDT stars for PNVFCL" . Tiebreaker Times . Retrieved April 19, 2026 . ↑ "Go For Gold-Air Force rallies to beat VNS Manileño in five sets" . BusinessWorld . November 29, 2021. Retrieved April 19, 2026 .↑ Agcaoili, Lance (September 3, 2022). "Spikers' Turf: VNS holds off Sta. Rosa for second straight win" . Philippine Daily Inquirer . Retrieved April 19, 2026 . ↑ "Volleyball: PGJC-Navy, North Cotabato book Champions League semis slots" . ABS-CBN News . November 11, 2022. Retrieved April 19, 2026 .↑ Malanum, Jean (January 23, 2023). "Imus AJAA beat Sta. Rosa in Spikers' Turf debut" . Philippine News Agency. Retrieved April 19, 2026 . ↑ Naredo, Camille (March 2, 2024). "Intal, Malabunga go from rivals to teammates in Criss Cross" . ABS-CBN News . Retrieved April 19, 2026 . ↑ Dannug, Jonash (October 16, 2024). "Kim Malabunga injures ankle before Criss Cross' Spikers' Turf opener" . Tiebreaker Times . Retrieved April 19, 2026 . ↑ Dannug, Jonash (February 25, 2025). "As he nears 100%, Kim Malabunga sets sights on championship for Criss Cross" . Tiebreaker Times . Retrieved April 19, 2026 . 1 2 Dannug, Jonash (April 19, 2026). "Kim Malabunga overcomes World Championship ghost with clutch block to seal Criss Cross crown" . Tiebreaker Times . Retrieved April 19, 2026 . ↑ Agcaoili, Lance (December 4, 2025). "Alas Pilipinas loads up with FIVB men's world stars for SEA Games" . Philippine Daily Inquirer . Retrieved April 19, 2026 . ↑ Caacbay, Kennedy (August 18, 2024). "Buddin, Malabunga honored with individual awards in SEA V.League Leg 1" . ABS-CBN News . Retrieved April 19, 2026 . ↑ "Kim Malabunga sorry for net touch in Alas' heartbreaker vs Iran: 'Dapat panalo na 'yon' . One Sports . September 19, 2025. Retrieved April 19, 2026 .↑ "Eagles whip Bulldogs, cop Spikers' Turf crown - The Philippine Star September 28, 2015" .↑ Lintag, Paul (September 16, 2016). "Blue Eagles survive NU in five sets to take finals opener" . ABS-CBN Sports. Archived from the original on September 10, 2016. Retrieved April 7, 2023 . ↑ Escarlote, Mark (August 12, 2017). "Capate bags Open Conference MVP award" . ABS-CBN Sports . Archived from the original on August 12, 2017. Retrieved April 7, 2023 . ↑ "Bigger Champions League in years to come – PNVF head Suzara" . Manila Bulletin . November 14, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2023 .↑ "UAAP Season 78 volleyball Awardees" . Tiebreaker times. Retrieved April 7, 2023 .↑ Matel, Philip (April 30, 2018). "UAAP Volleyball: MVPs Jaja Santiago, Marck Espejo banner individual awards for Season 80" . ABS-CBN Sports. Archived from the original on April 30, 2018. Retrieved April 7, 2023 . ↑ Escarlote, Mark (November 12, 2016). "Air Force captures second straight title, dethrones Cignal" . ABS-CBN Sports . Archived from the original on December 22, 2016. Retrieved April 7, 2023 . ↑ Riego, Norman (August 16, 2017). "Sacrifice pays off as HD Spikers seize second straight title" . ABS-CBN Sports the original on August 16, 2017. Retrieved April 7, 2023 . ↑ Escarlote, Mark (July 6, 2018). "PVL: HD Spikers book return ticket to the Finals" . ABS-CBN Sports . Archived from the original on July 6, 2018. Retrieved July 6, 2018 . ↑ Agcaoili, Lance (October 1, 2022). "NU-Sta. Elena dethrones Cignal to claim Spikers' Turf crown" . Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved April 7, 2023 . ↑ "Go for Gold, VNS open men's PNVF Champions League" . ABS-CBN News . November 28, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2021 .↑ "PNVF CL: Cignal outlasts North Cotabato, rules men's division" . Tiebreaker Times . November 13, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2023 .↑ "Spikers Turf Open Conference" . Inquirer.net. Retrieved April 7, 2023 .
