John Franklin Kennedy Caacbay

Kim Malabunga and Owa Retamar in action during Set 1 of Alas Pilipinas' match against Iran at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship, September 18, 2025. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

Article (news)

Kim Malabunga and Owa Retamar 

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1758206348992viber_image_2025-09-18_17-52-21-090.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Kim Malabunga and Owa Retamar in action during Set 1 of Alas Pilipinas&#x27; match against Iran at the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men&#x27;s World Championship, September 18, 2025. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</div>MANILA — A 14,000-strong crowd at the Mall of Asia Arena was already celebrating after Kim Malabunga appeared to have scored a kill block to win Alas Pilipinas&#x27; match against Iran in the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Men&#x27;s World Championship.The Philippines was ahead 19-18, and Malabunga&#x27;s rejection was set to be the match-winner that would send the Alas Men to the tournament&#x27;s round-of-16.But as it turned out, the moment instead became one of the biggest &quot;what ifs&quot; in Philippine sports, as Iran challenged the play for a net fault. Replays showed that Malabunga grazed the net on his way down, and the match resumed after the Alas Men and Filipino fans had already celebrated. <div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2025/9/18/fivb-worlds-heartbreaker-as-gallant-alas-pilipinas-fall-to-higher-ranked-iran-1954">READ: FIVB Worlds: Heartbreaker as gallant Alas Pilipinas Men fall to higher-ranked Iran </a></div>That moment proved pivotal as the Iranians rallied their way to the Round of 16, with Alas Men absorbing the painful loss in the five-set marathon, 25-21, 21-25, 25-17, 23-25, 20-22, on Thursday at the Pasay City venue.Malabunga owned up to the mistake, even as he and the entire Alas team fought their hearts out in front of their Pinoy fans.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/volleyball/2025/9/18/bagunas-on-alas-heartbreak-sobrang-masakit-kasi-nando-n-na-po-kami-1949">READ: Bagunas on Alas heartbreak: &#x27;Sobrang masakit, kasi nando&#x27;n na po kami&#x27; </a></div>&quot;Hindi ko ma-explain, kasi sobrang nada-down ako e. Akin &#x27;yun, eh dapat panalo na &#x27;yun, kaso na-out of balance pa ako. Sorry, sa akin,&quot; Malabunga said.The 29-year-old middle blocker found the silver lining, saying that they showed their progress—years of hard work resulting in this very moment.In the prestigious 32-nation tournament, Alas Men proved they could compete with the best men&#x27;s volleyball teams in the globe.&quot;Masasabi ko lang, masaya pa din. Masaya na malungkot [na] nakikita ko mga coaches and teammates ko, masaya naman sila sa naging resulta ng game kasi &#x27;yung mga pinaghirapan namin nung nakaraang taon, lumabas sa game na ito,&quot; said Malabunga. &quot;Masaya naman ako, pero sobrang nanghihinayang.&quot;Malabunga saw the difference of the national team program, then from now—and he&#x27;s here to see what the future holds for them.&quot;Masasabi ko lang, sobrang laki ng iaangat ng men’s volleyball kasi nakita naman &#x27;yung resulta e. Hindi naman tayo basta-basta bumigay sa game, &#x27;yung last two games namin, lumabas talaga &#x27;yung pinaghirapan namin nung nakaraang taon.&quot;

It became one of Philippine sports' "biggest what-ifs" as Iran raised a challenge for a net fault.

It became one of Philippine sports' "biggest what-ifs" as Iran raised a challenge for a net fault.

FIVB Worlds: Kim Malabunga owns up to costly net fault -- 'Sorry, sa akin'

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FIVB Worlds: Kim Malabunga owns up to costly net fault -- 'Sorry, sa akin'

Kennedy Caacbay,

ABS-CBN News

Published Sep 18, 2025 10:56 PM PHT

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Updated Sep 18, 2025 11:11 PM PHT

Read More:

abssports

volleyball

2025 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship

Alas Pilipinas Men

Kim Malabunga

Iran

Philippines

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