Kim Malabunga saved his best for last, delivering his finest performance for Alas Pilipinas in the Invitational tournament with a clutch showing against regional powerhouse Thailand on Thursday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The 6-foot-5 middle blocker finished with nine points as Alas Pilipinas pulled off a gritty 21-25, 25-21, 25-22, 21-25, 15-12 victory to complete a sweep of the three-day meet. It marked the Philippines’ first win over Thailand since their historic semifinal triumph in the 2019 Southeast Asian Games.
Malabunga also played a key role in that memorable win six years ago, where he helped anchor the team’s net defense and delivered crucial points in the deciding frame. His performance led the Nationals to a 17-25, 25-20, 23-25, 27-25, 17-15 upset of the eight-time SEA Games champions to reach the gold medal match.
This latest win, once again in front of a roaring home crowd, brought back a flood of memories for the seasoned middle blocker.
“Sakin lang sobrang saya kasi after [six] years ulit nanalo ulit kami sa Thailand. Parang bumalik lang ‘yung feeling ulit na ano, na nanalo ulit kami dahil din siguro sa suporta ng mga tao,” said Malabunga, a former National University standout.
Fellow 2019 hero Marck Espejo echoed the sentiment, saying the win — though in an invitational setting — boosts the morale of the squad as they gear up for bigger battles ahead, including the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship.
“Masaya kasi huling panalo ko against Thailand was 2019, pero hindi naman ito ‘yung magba-base talaga kasi Invitationals lang ito. Parang ito lang ‘yung gauge namin kung nasaan ‘yung team. Pero siyempre, beating Thailand nakaka-boost ng confidence,” said the five-time UAAP MVP.
Malabunga’s standout outing was a stark contrast to his earlier showings in the tournament. He was limited to just six points in the opener against Jakarta Bhayangkara Presisi, and sat out the second match versus Hyundai Capital Skywalkers.
But against a familiar Thai team, he rediscovered his form at just the right time.
He credited his familiarity with Thailand’s system and, in particular, veteran middle blocker Kissada Nilsawai, as a key factor in his performance.
“Oo, kasi ilang beses na namin silang nakalaban, lalo ‘yung middle ng kalaban. Grabe, pinahirapan talaga kami niyan nung mga nakaraang liga namin. Parang inalala ko lang ‘yung mga galaw nila. Ina-apply ko rin. ‘Yun naman, medyo naka-block naman.”
As the men’s national team continues to build toward the future, Thursday’s triumph was more than just a win — it was a statement.
And for Malabunga, it was a personal reminder that his veteran presence still matters when the stakes are high.
#WATCH: Buds Buddin, Kim Malabunga, and Marck Espejo share their thoughts on finally breaking through and beating Thailand 🇵🇭🏐
📹 @ernesttuazon /Tiebreaker Times#Sambansa #AlasInvitationals pic.twitter.com/9GXQ09gNFE
— Tiebreaker Times (@tiebreakertimes) June 12, 2025
