{{Short description|Filipino volleyball player}} {{Filipino name|Malabunga}} {{Use Philippine English|date=April 2023}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2023}} {{Infobox volleyball player | name = Kim Malabunga | image = | caption = | full_name = Kim Niño Malabunga | nickname = | nationality = Filipino | birth_date ={{Birth date and age|1996|05|8}} | birth_place = Quezon, Philippines | hometown = | height = 1.93m | weight = 90kg | position = Middle Blocker | currentnumber = 4 | college = National University | currentclub = Criss Cross King Crunchers | years1 = 2017 | team1 = Philippine Air Force | years2 = 2017 | team2 = Megabuilders Volley Bolts | years3 = 2018 | team3 = Vice Co. Blockbusters | years4 = 2019–2021 | team4 = Philippine Air Force | years5 = 2022 | team5 = VNS | years6 = 2022 | team6 = AMC Cotabato Spikers | years7 = 2023 | team7 = Imus City–AJAA Spikers | years8 = 2024–present | team8 = Criss Cross King Crunchers | nationalyears1 = 2019–present | nationalteam1 = Philippines | medaltemplates ={{MedalSport | Men's volleyball }} {{MedalCountry | {{PHI}} }} {{MedalCompetition | Southeast Asian Games }} {{MedalSilver | 2019 Manila | Team }} {{MedalCompetition|SEA V.League}} {{MedalBronze|2024 Manila|Team}} {{MedalBronze|2024 Yogyakarta|Team}} }}
'''Kim Niño Malabunga''' (born May 8, 1996) is a Filipino volleyball athlete. He played with NU Bulldogs collegiate men's University team. He is currently playing for the Criss Cross King Crunchers in the Spikers' Turf.
==Early life== Kim Malabunga was born on May 8, 1996 in Quezon.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kim Malabunga |url=https://www.fivb.com/players/players-database/player/177431/ |website=Players’ Database |publisher=FIVB |access-date=19 April 2026}}</ref>
==Career== ===Collegiate=== Malabunga play as the middle blocker for the Bulldogs of the National University in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.
He played his last playing year with Bulldogs in UAAP Season 81 in 2019, where they won their second consecutive championship title against the FEU Tamaraws in the Finals.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Morales |first1=Luisa |title=Bagunas-led NU wins back-to-back titles in UAAP men's volley |url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2019/05/15/1918033/bagunas-led-nu-wins-back-back-titles-uaap-mens-volley |access-date=19 April 2026 |work=Tiebreaker Times |date=15 May 2019}}</ref>
===Club=== ====Megabuilders Volley Bolts==== Malabunga played for the Megabuilders Volley Bolts in the 2017 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference. He was named Best Middle Blocker for the tournament.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Li |first1=Matthew |title=Saku Capate hailed as Open Conference MVP |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/saku-capate-hailed-as-open-conference-mvp/92774 |access-date=19 April 2026 |work=Tiebreaker Times |date=12 August 2017}}</ref> ====Philippine Air Force==== Malabunga has been with the Philippine Air Force of the Spikers' Turf as early as the 2019 Reinforced Conference<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dannug |first1=Jonash |title=Jude Garcia, JP Bugaoan savor first crown as it came at expense of ex-Bulldogs |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/jude-garcia-jp-bugaoan-savor-first-crown-came-expense-ex-bulldogs/155460 |access-date=19 April 2026 |work=Tiebreaker Times |date=24 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Air Force Go For Gold remains team to beat in Spikers’ Turf |url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2019/05/25/1920768/air-force-go-gold-remains-team-beat-spikers-turf |access-date=19 April 2026 |work=The Philippine Star |date=25 May 2019}}</ref> He later played for Air Force in the 2021 PNVF Champions League.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dannug |first1=Jonash |title=Air Force picks up ex-PLDT stars for PNVFCL |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/air-force-picks-up-ex-pldt-stars-de-guzman-alfafara-josafat-dayandante/226098 |access-date=19 April 2026 |work=Tiebreaker Times |date=28 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Go For Gold-Air Force rallies to beat VNS Manileño in five sets |url=https://www.bworldonline.com/sports/2021/11/30/413959/go-for-gold-air-force-rallies-to-beat-vns-manileno-in-five-sets/ |access-date=19 April 2026 |work=BusinessWorld |date=29 November 2021}}</ref>
====VNS==== Malabunga played for the VNS Griffins of the Spikers' Turf in 2022.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Agcaoili |first1=Lance |title=Spikers’ Turf: VNS holds off Sta. Rosa for second straight win |url=https://sports.inquirer.net/475799/spikers-turf-vns-holds-off-sta-rosa-for-second-straight-win |access-date=19 April 2026 |work=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=3 September 2022 |language=en}}</ref> ====AMC Cotabato==== The AMC Cotabato Spikers acquired the services of Malabunga for the 2022 PNVF Champions League.<ref>{{cite news |title=Volleyball: PGJC-Navy, North Cotabato book Champions League semis slots |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/11/11/22/volleyball-pgjc-navy-north-cotabato-book-semis-slots |access-date=19 April 2026 |work=ABS-CBN News |date=11 November 2022}}</ref> ====Imus AJAA Spikers==== Malabunga returned to the Spikers' Turf suiting up for the Imus City–AJAA Spikers in the 2023 Open Conference.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Malanum |first1=Jean |title=Imus AJAA beat Sta. Rosa in Spikers' Turf debut |url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1193289 |access-date=19 April 2026 |agency=Philippine News Agency |date=23 January 2023}}</ref> ====Criss Cross King Crunchers==== In early 2024, Malabunga changed his Spikers' Turf club moving to the Criss Cross King Crunchers in the lead up to the 2024 Open Conference.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Naredo |first1=Camille |title=Intal, Malabunga go from rivals to teammates in Criss Cross |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/3/1/intal-malabunga-go-from-rivals-to-teammates-in-criss-cross-2223 |access-date=19 April 2026 |work=ABS-CBN News |date=2 March 2024}}</ref>
He got injured in the 2024 Invitational Conference in October.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dannug |first1=Jonash |title=Kim Malabunga injures ankle before Criss Cross' Spikers' Turf opener |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/kim-malabungan-injures-ankle-before-criss-cross-spikers-turf-opener/316646 |access-date=19 April 2026 |work=Tiebreaker Times |date=16 October 2024}}</ref> He has recovered by the semifinals of the 2025 Open Conference.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dannug |first1=Jonash |title=As he nears 100%, Kim Malabunga sets sights on championship for Criss Cross |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/as-he-nears-100-kim-malabunga-sets-sights-on-championship-for-criss-cross/328288 |access-date=19 April 2026 |work=Tiebreaker Times |date=25 February 2025}}</ref>
Malabanga helped Criss Cross win two consecutive titles. The latest being the 2026 Open Conference title.<ref name=wcghost>{{cite news |last1=Dannug |first1=Jonash |title=Kim Malabunga overcomes World Championship ghost with clutch block to seal Criss Cross crown |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/kim-malabunga-overcomes-world-championship-ghost-with-clutch-block-to-seal-criss-cross-crown/372508 |access-date=19 April 2026 |work=Tiebreaker Times |date=19 April 2026}}</ref>
===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.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Agcaoili |first1=Lance |title=Alas Pilipinas loads up with FIVB men’s world stars for SEA Games |url=https://sports.inquirer.net/651663/alas-pilipinas-loads-up-with-fivb-mens-world-stars-for-sea-games |access-date=19 April 2026 |work=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=4 December 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
At the first leg of the 2024 SEA Men's V.League, Malabunga was named as the tournament's second best middle blocker.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Caacbay |first1=Kennedy |title=Buddin, Malabunga honored with individual awards in SEA V.League Leg 1 |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/2024/8/18/buddin-malabunga-honored-with-individual-awards-in-sea-v-league-leg-1-2320 |access-date=19 April 2026 |work=ABS-CBN News |date=18 August 2024}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kim Malabunga sorry for net touch in Alas’ heartbreaker vs Iran: 'Dapat panalo na 'yon' |url=https://www.onesports.ph/story/?q=6981efc1b9af030002b47b51 |access-date=19 April 2026 |work=One Sports |date=19 September 2025}}</ref><ref name=wcghost/>
==Clubs== * {{flagicon|PHI}} Philippine Air Force Air Spikers (2017, 2019–2021) * {{flagicon|PHI}} Megabuilders Volley Bolts (2017) * {{flagicon|PHI}} Vice Co. Blockbusters (2018) * {{flagicon|PHI}} VNS-One Alicia Griffins (2022) * {{flagicon|PHI}} AMC Cotabato Spikers (2022) * {{flagicon|PHI}} Imus City–AJAA Spikers (2023) * {{flagicon|PHI}} Criss Cross King Crunchers (2024–present)
==Awards== ===Individual=== {|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" ! style="width:5px;"|Year ! style="width:25px;"|League ! style="width:100px;"|Season/Conference ! style="width:180px;"|Award ! style="width:25px;"|Ref |- | 2015 | rowspan=2|Spikers' Turf | Collegiate | ''1st Best Middle Blocker'' |<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.philstar.com/sports/2015/09/28/1504793/eagles-whip-bulldogs-cop-spikers-turf-crown|title=Eagles whip Bulldogs, cop Spikers' Turf crown - The Philippine Star September 28, 2015}}</ref> |- | 2016 | Collegiate | 2nd Best Middle Blocker | <ref>{{cite news|url=https://sports.abs-cbn.com/spikersturf/news/2016/09/07/blue-eagles-survive-nu-five-sets-take-finals-opener-15253|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910163147/http://sports.abs-cbn.com/spikersturf/news/2016/09/07/blue-eagles-survive-nu-five-sets-take-finals-opener-15253|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 10, 2016|title=Blue Eagles survive NU in five sets to take finals opener|publisher=ABS-CBN Sports|last=Lintag|first=Paul|date=September 16, 2016|accessdate=April 7, 2023}}</ref> |- | rowspan=2|2017 |rowspan=2|PVL | Open | 1st Best Middle Blocker |<ref>{{cite web|url=http://sports.abs-cbn.com/pvl/news/2017/08/12/capate-bags-open-conference-mvp-award-29646|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812142650/http://sports.abs-cbn.com/pvl/news/2017/08/12/capate-bags-open-conference-mvp-award-29646|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 12, 2017|title=Capate bags Open Conference MVP award|publisher=ABS-CBN Sports|last=Escarlote|first=Mark|date=August 12, 2017|access-date=April 7, 2023}}</ref> |- | Collegiate | rowspan=4|2nd Best Middle Blocker | |- | 2019 |rowspan=1|Spikers' Turf | Reinforced | |- | rowspan=1 |2022 |PNVF | rowspan=1 | Champions League | rowspan=1 |<ref>{{cite news|title=Bigger Champions League in years to come – PNVF head Suzara|url=https://mb.com.ph/2022/11/14/bigger-champions-league-in-years-to-come-pnvf-head-suzara/?amp|work=Manila Bulletin|date=14 November 2022|access-date=7 April 2023}}</ref> |- | 2024 | SEA V.League | 1st Leg | |}
===Collegiate=== {|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" ! style="width:5px;"|Year ! style="width:25px;"|League ! style="width:100px;"|Season/Conference ! style="width:180px;"|Title ! style="width:25px;"|Ref |- | 2015 |Spikers' Turf | Collegiate | style="background:silver;" | '''Runner-up''' | |- | rowspan=2|2016 | rowspan=1|UAAP | 78 | style="background:silver;" | '''Runner-up''' |<ref>{{cite web|title=UAAP Season 78 volleyball Awardees|url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/valdez-espejo-headline-uaap-season-78-awardees/55857|publisher=Tiebreaker times|access-date=7 April 2023}}</ref> |- |Spikers' Turf | Collegiate | style="background:silver;" | '''Runner-up''' | |- | 2017 |rowspan=2|UAAP | 79 | style="background:silver;" | '''Runner-up''' | |- | 2018 | 80 | style="background:gold;" | '''Champions''' |<ref>{{cite news|url=https://sports.abs-cbn.com/uaap/news/2018/04/30/mvps-jaja-santiago-marck-espejo-banner-individual-awards-40994|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180430182601/https://sports.abs-cbn.com/uaap/news/2018/04/30/mvps-jaja-santiago-marck-espejo-banner-individual-awards-40994|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 30, 2018|title=UAAP Volleyball: MVPs Jaja Santiago, Marck Espejo banner individual awards for Season 80|publisher=ABS-CBN Sports|last=Matel|first=Philip|date=April 30, 2018|access-date=April 7, 2023}}</ref> |- | 2018 | PVL | Collegiate | style="background:gold;" | '''Champions''' | |- | 2019 | UAAP | 81 | style="background:gold;" | '''Champions''' | |}
===Clubs=== {|class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" ! style="width:5px;"|Year ! style="width:25px;"|League ! style="width:100px;"|Season/Conference ! style="width:100px;"|Club ! style="width:180px;"|Title ! style="width:25px;"|Ref |- |rowspan =2|2017 |rowspan=2|PVL | Reinforced | Philippine Air Force Air Spikers |style="background:silver;" | '''Runner-up''' |<ref>{{cite news|url=https://sports.abs-cbn.com/spikersturf/news/2016/11/12/air-force-captures-second-straight-title-dethrones-cignal-17896|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161222152054/http://sports.abs-cbn.com/spikersturf/news/2016/11/12/air-force-captures-second-straight-title-dethrones-cignal-17896|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 22, 2016|title=Air Force captures second straight title, dethrones Cignal|work=ABS-CBN Sports|last=Escarlote|first=Mark|date=November 12, 2016|accessdate=April 7, 2023}}</ref> |- | Open | Megabuilders Volley Bolts | style="background:silver;" | '''Runner-up''' |<ref>{{cite news|last=Riego|first=Norman|title=Sacrifice pays off as HD Spikers seize second straight title|url=http://sports.abs-cbn.com/pvl/news/2017/08/16/sacrifice-pays-hd-spikers-seize-second-straight-title-29800|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816150547/http://sports.abs-cbn.com/pvl/news/2017/08/16/sacrifice-pays-hd-spikers-seize-second-straight-title-29800|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 16, 2017|accessdate=7 April 2023|newspaper=ABS-CBN Sports|date=16 August 2017}}</ref> |- | 2018 | rowspan=2|Spikers' Turf | Open | Vice Co. Blockbusters | style="background:#cc9966;" | '''3rd place''' |<ref>{{cite news|last=Escarlote|first=Mark|date=July 6, 2018|title=PVL: HD Spikers book return ticket to the Finals|url=https://sports.abs-cbn.com/pvl/news/2018/07/06/pvl-hd-spikers-book-return-ticket-finals-44037|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706104520/https://sports.abs-cbn.com/pvl/news/2018/07/06/pvl-hd-spikers-book-return-ticket-finals-44037|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 6, 2018|work=ABS-CBN Sports|access-date=July 6, 2018}}</ref> |- | 2019 | Open | Philippine Air Force Air Spikers | style="background:silver;" | '''Runner-up''' |<ref>{{cite news |last1=Agcaoili |first1=Lance |title=NU-Sta. Elena dethrones Cignal to claim Spikers' Turf crown |url=https://sports.inquirer.net/479159/nu-sta-elena-dethrones-cignal-to-claim-spikers-turf-crown |access-date=7 April 2023 |publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=1 October 2022}}</ref> |- | 2021 | rowspan=2|PNVF | Champions League | Go for Gold-Air Force Aguilas | style="background:silver;" | '''Runner-up''' |<ref>{{cite news |title=Go for Gold, VNS open men's PNVF Champions League |url=https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/11/28/21/go-for-gold-vns-open-mens-pnvf-champions-league |access-date=28 November 2021 |work=ABS-CBN News |date=28 November 2021 |language=en}}</ref> |- | 2022 | Champions League | Pikit-North Cotabato G-Spikers | style="background:silver;" | '''Runner-up''' |<ref>{{cite news |title=PNVF CL: Cignal outlasts North Cotabato, rules men's division |url=https://tiebreakertimes.com.ph/tbt/pnvf-cl-cignal-outlasts-north-cotabato-rules-mens-division/255207 |access-date=7 April 2023 |work=Tiebreaker Times | date=November 13, 2022}}</ref> |- | 2023 |rowspan=4|Spikers' Turf | Open |Imus City–AJAA Spikers | style="background:#cc9966;" | '''3rd place''' |<ref>{{cite web|title=Spikers Turf Open Conference|url=https://sports.inquirer.net/503472/cignal-conquers-cotabato-completes-season-sweep-for-spikers-turf-crown |publisher=Inquirer.net|access-date=April 7, 2023}}</ref> |- | rowspan=2|2024 | Open |rowspan=3|Criss Cross King Crunchers |style="background:silver;" | '''Runner-up''' | |- | Invitational |style="background:silver;" | '''Runner-up''' | |- | rowspan=1|2025 | Open |style="background:silver;" | '''Runner-up''' | |}
==External links== * [https://www.fivb.com/players/players-database/player/177431/ Kim Malabunga] at the FIVB
==References== {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Malabunga, Kim}} Category:Filipino men's volleyball players Category:Philippines international volleyball players Category:National University (Philippines) alumni Category:University Athletic Association of the Philippines volleyball players Category:Volleyball players at the 2019 SEA Games Category:SEA Games medalists in volleyball Category:SEA Games silver medalists for the Philippines Category:Living people Category:Sportspeople from Quezon Category:1996 births