BUNDIT IS BACK

BANGKOK, Thailand — Although not yet cast in stone, decorated Thai coach Tai Bundit is expected to take over the Alas Pilipinas women’s volleyball program.

Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) president Tony Boy Liao revealed to DAILY TRIBUNE on Tuesday a change in direction regarding the women’s national team, following another heartbreaking campaign in the Southeast Asian Games.

The federation won’t extend current Brazilian head coach Jorge Souza De Brito’s contract with Alas, which expires at the end of the year.

The Filipinas fell short of a podium finish after suffering a 26-28, 25-13, 28-30, 24-26, loss to Indonesia in the battle for third in the 33rd staging of the biennial meet on Monday at the Indoor Stadium Huamark here.

“He’s on our wish list (of possible choices as new head coach),” Liao said Tuesday.

“But it will still depend on Rebisco, if they will release him to join the national team program because we all know he coaches Criss Cross.”

Liao said he is already had initial talks with Bundit, whose presence during the Alas games fueled speculations of a possible national team stint.

“Actually, I’ve talked to him about this one. He’s very interested. The go-signal now is with the Rebisco management,” he said.

“As for the Thai federation, I’ve already talked to them and they’re very willing to help the Philippines. So that’s one hurdle passed and it’s now up to Rebisco management.”

Bundit is currently coaching the King Crunchers in the Spikers’ Turf. He steered Criss Cross to a breakthrough crown in the 2025 Invitational.

The Thai tactician is no stranger to Philippine volleyball and working with Liao.

Bundit, with his patented “happy, happy” and “heartstrong” mantra, turned Ateneo de Manila University into a back-to-back champion in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) women’s champion.

With Alyssa Valdez, Jia Morado-De Guzman and Denden Lazaro-Revilla as his key pieces, the then-Lady Eagles captured the crown in 2014 and 2015.

He also handled Creamline in the Premier Volleyball League (PVL) from 2017 to 2021, producing three championships. Bundit also won a title with Nakhon Ratchasima men’s squad in the Thailand League 2022-2023 season.

“As we all know I was the one who brought in coach Tai (to the Philippines) starting with Ateneo and then Creamline signed him. Adamson University also took him in to help their women’s program, then now with Criss Cross. If you would say he’s a champion coach as all the teams I mentioned won championships under him,” Liao said.

“I’m not saying he’s lucky but it just so happened he’s a winner. Ateneo, we turned it into a back-to-back champion. In Creamline he had multiple championships. Then with Adamson, he also turned them into champions and then lately Criss Cross,” he added.

“We’re trying to see if Rebisco will allow him to help the team if they will release him for the national team. He’s one name in our wish list, in case he’s given the green light.”

If given the green light, Bundit will make his return to the Alas program after serving as assistant coach of Roger Gorayeb during the 2015 Singapore SEA Games.

He will also reunite with former players De Guzman and Maddie Madayag.

Bundit will also inherit a team with a good mix of veteran and young talents led by Bella Belen, Alyssa Solomon, Shaina Nitura, Angel Canino, Amie Provido, Justine Jazareno, Mars Alba, Dell Palomata, Eya Laure, Vanie Gandler, Julia Coronel and Dawn Macandili-Catindig.

De Brito joined Alas in 2021 with a contract due to expire last year. He got an extension until the SEA Games following a third-place finish in the 2024 Asian Women’s Volleyball Challenge Cup and a runner-up finish the following year, followed by back-to-back bronze in the 2025 SEA VLeague.