Bundit, the architect of the Lady Eagles teams that won two UAAP championships in four straight Finals appearances, was reportedly bolting to spend more time with his family in Thailand.
According to Lady Eagles supporter Tony Boy Liao, the conflict stems from much more complicated sources. In fact, Bundit regularly has regularly flown home to Thailand in his four years with Ateneo.
Although he would not go into specifics, Liao stated several stories that could have led to Bundit’s and the Lady Eagles’ relationship souring.
Liao recalled several calls from the Lady Eagles to ease Bundit’s sessions, as it had greatly affected the student-athletes’ school-sports balance. Moreover, there were also complaints about playing time.
A compromise was reached, and Bundit still trained the team for a week. However, Liao is alleging that a compromise was not “really” settled.
“Sabi niya (Bundit) ‘Okay, kung ganiyan ‘yung gusto niyo, I will leave’,” Liao recalled Bundit saying.
Liao and Bundit will meet with Ateneo president Fr. Jett Villarin tomorrow to hash things out. To Liao’s knowledge, Villarin has no idea how Bundit was removed from his position. Last year, it was Villarin who kept Liao with Ateneo after there were several reports that Liao was being removed from the Lady Eagles.
However, it seems unlikely that Bundit will want to come back after all the fuss. Though he was also unable to fully express his dismay.
“Very shocked, very sad, so much drama,” Bundit said.
Not going into specifics, Bundit expressed that most of his grief comes from the shock of how his players reacted to his firing. Bundit was also very vocal on social media, replying to several fans’ post about his firing.
Asked whether it was possible that he would still return, Bundit sternly said,
“No more.”
