By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Decorated Thai coach Tai Bundit is being eyed to take charge of the Alas Pilipinas women’s volleyball team following the expiration of contract of Brazilian mentor Jorge De Brito by the end of the year.
Newly-elected Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) President Tony Liao said Bundit is part of their “wish list” as the federation eyes a new direction for the Filipina spikers following their participation at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand.
The Alas Women missed out on the podium after losing to Indonesia in four sets to settle for fourth place.
Bundit is no stranger to the Philippine volleyball scene. He is currently the head coach of Criss Cross King Crunchers that recently won the Invitational Conference at the Spikers’ Turf.
He coached the Ateneo women’s volleyball team from 2014 to 2018, and as well as Creamline from 2017 to 2021, guiding the Cool Smashers to three Premier Volleyball League titles and two runner-up finishes.
He also previously coached the Thailand women’s national team at the 2006 Asian Games where it placed fourth.
Although the PNVF has an option to extend De Brito’s contract, it was reported that the federation is headed to a different direction.
De Brito joined the coaching staff of the women’s national team in 2021 under FIVB’s development project platform, first as a consultant. He guided the team to bronze medal finishes in the 2024 Asian Women’s Volleyball Challenge Cup in the Manila leg, as well as in the 2024 SEA V. League in the Vinh Phuc and Nakhon Ratchasima legs.
