Admittedly, Ramil De Jesus was dominating the UAAP before Tai Bundit coached the Ateneo Lady Eagles.
Before the 76th Season of the UAAP, De Jesus was had won three straight titles and eight in total. They made the Finals every year he coached except for two years where La Salle faced controversy.
He had the UAAP at the palm of his hands.
“Before, ang binibilang ko lang kalaban noon siguro FEU, UST, even Adamson, siguro,” De Jesus confessed.
But when the Thai mentor debuted in Season 76, he shocked De Jesus’ system, immediately winning a title before guiding the Lady Eagles to a sweep in Season 77.
De Jesus regained the throne in Seasons 78 and 79, taking down Bundit’s Lady Eagles’ in two thrilling encounters.
Season 80 turned out to be Bundit’s last season with the Lady Eagles. De Jesus, himself, was saddened to hear his old foe leaving the collegiate ranks.
“Nadidinig ko lang, ‘di ko lang confirmed kung tuloy ‘yung sinabi niya. Pero nakakalungkot kung ganoon kasi maganda ang nagawa niya sa Ateneo eh,” De Jesus told the media after his Lady Spikers clinched their 10th straight Finals appearance.
“Para sa akin kasi hindi mage-evolve ‘yung volleyball dito sa Philippines kung wala si Tai.
“Nung si Tai dito, wala, walang challenge ‘yung UAAP noon para sa akin. Noong dumating siya, nagulat ako na, uy, ganitong level ‘yung dinala niya rito sa Philippines so kailangan ko mag-adjust,” he furthered.
“Kailangan kong abutin ‘yung ganitong level na dinala niya. Maganda ‘yung ginawa niya hindi lang for Ateneo, pero para na din sa Pilipinas. Kung di siya dumating dito, iwan talaga tayo sa international,” De Jesus lamented.
Safe to say, Bundit forced De Jesus, now the Women’s National Team head coach, to get better.
“Naging challenge ‘yung pagdating niya. Noong dumating siya, nag-evolve ‘yung volleyball.”
