There is no doubt that Tai Bundit has had a profound effect on Philippine volleyball. From helping train the National Team in 2015 to leading the Ateneo de Manila University Lady Eagles to two championships and four Finals appearances in the UAAP, the Thai mentor has definitely helped the growth of local volleyball.
Perhaps most endearing, however, are the relationships he has fostered with his players. Despite the language barriers, Bundit has a tight-knit bond with a lot of his former wards.
Out of all the players he trained, Bundit might have had the closest relationship with setter Jia Morado. Bundit’s trainings are now notorious for their incredible difficulty and extreme conditioning.
Morado was not only a willing trainee, but welcomed the special attention she got from Bundit. Being the setter tasked to execute a fast, Thai-style offense with Ateneo, Morado definitely had some growing pains. Through it all, Morado blossomed with Bundit’s constant prodding and urging.
In UAAP Season 76 — when doubts where high around her due to a pre-season ACL injury — Morado displayed fantastic form in her rookie year, playing a pivotal role in Ateneo’s first championship campaign. Season 77 saw the Parañaque resident bag her first Best Setter award, while Ateneo went undefeated en route to back-to-back titles. While championships were sparse in her final two years with Ateneo, Morado continued to grow as one of the country’s best setters.
All this because of Bundit’s “tough” training.
“Siyempre, malungkot kasi he really gave a lot for the school talaga,” Morado admitted when she first heard news that Bundit was out as Ateneo coach, “Ako, I wouldn’t be where I am today kung hindi niya rin ako tinuruan.
“So I’m sure naman may plano talaga si God sa kung anong mangyayari for the team and for Coach Tai. So, I’m just hoping na kung saan siya dalhin, he’ll do well.”
Asked to comment about Bundit’s now heavily-criticized training style, the 22-year-old was sure the trainings were equally as tough in every other succesful program.
“Siguro mahirap naman talaga ang training.
“Kahit sinong coach naman talaga, mahirap, kasi that’s how you grow, that’s how you improve. So, I don’t know. Maybe iba talaga ang level ni coach Tai na nahirapan ‘yung girls ngayon,” Morado, who stands at 5-foot-7, continued.
Initially, Morado was set to serve as an assistant coach to Bundit for the Ateneo Lady Eagle in the coming UAAP Season 80.
With Bundit gone, Morado is also not going to man the sidelines.
