PNVF to tackle Bundit hiring as Alas coach

The fate of Tai Bundit as head coach of the Alas Pilipinas women’s squad will be decided when the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) holds its executive board meeting on Thursday.

In a short message to DAILY TRIBUNE, PNVF president Tonyboy Liao said nothing is final at the moment as they have yet to formally decide whether to hire Bundit as replacement of Brazilian mentor Jorge Edson Souza de Brito, whose contract had already expired last year.

Sources, however, stressed that Bundit’s hiring is already a done deal. After all, the national team’s biggest benefactor — Rebisco — had already approved his transfer to the Alas Pilipinas side that is looking to win its first medal in the Southeast Asian Games after a two-decade drought.

But Liao said they have to first come up with a collective decision.

“It will be discussed in the upcoming board meeting this Thursday,” said Liao, who used to be the chairman of the national team commission before winning the PNVF presidency last November.

Bundit’s possible return as national team mentor had been swirling since the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Bangkok last December.

In fact, it was Liao who revealed that the well-loved Thai mentor is on top of their wish list pending the approval of his employer, Rebisco, in the Spikers’ Turf.

Liao said he already reached out to Bundit and he displayed willingness to handle the national team program, which he helped guide during the 28th SEA Games in Singapore in 2015.

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

With Bundit’s looming hiring as national team mentor, he will reunite with his Ateneo de Manila University players in Jia Morado and Maddie Madayag while leading 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.