Ateneo de Manila University president Fr. Jett Villarin was an important figure in bringing Tai Bundit back to coach the Lady Eagles last year.
So, it was no surprise that the beloved Ateneo official also publicly thanked the Thai head coach for his years of service.
Villarin, a fixture in Ateneo’s UAAP matches, expressed his gratitude in a statement circulating through social media for the remarkable change Bundit brought to not only the Ateneo volleyball program, but also to Philippine volleyball.
“As we bid farewell to coach Tai, we thank him for all that he has contributed to Ateneo volleyball and to collegiate volleyball,” Villarin said in the memo addressed to the Ateneo community dated April 25.
“The highlight of his career as head coach is the back-to-back championship in Season 76 and 77. He shepherded the team to rise above all odds and win our first UAAP women’s volleyball championship, which ushered a new level of competitiveness in the sport ans ignited a newfound love in the hearts of its supporters.”
Tiebreaker Times first broke the news of Bundit’s departure last year, but Villarin stepped in and counseled both the team and Bundit to grind out for one more season.
In Season 80, the Lady Eagles exited in the Final Four, marking the first time Ateneo failed to make the Finals under Bundit.
Bundit first relayed news of his departure to Tiebreaker Times, right after they lost to the Far Eastern University Lady Tamaraws. The Thai mentor will also be remembered for his work with the Philippine women’s national team in 2015.
Bundit will still be involved in local volleyball, as head coach for the Creamline Cool Smashers in the Premier Volleyball League.
Villarin also thanked outgoing team manager Tony Boy Liao, one of the architects of Ateneo’s championship runs. He urged the Ateneo community to continue supporting the Lady Eagles in another rebuilding phase.
“Let me also take this opportunity to express our gratitude to Mr. Tony Boy Liao, who helped develop our volleyball program and whose support never wavered for Ateneo.
“Let us also be generous in our support and prayers for our Lady Eagles as they rebuild anew in preparation for the next UAAP season,” Villarin closed.
