Finals appearance will earn Bundit extension, says Liao

Coach Tai Bundit. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

ATENEO head coach Tai Bundit has enjoyed, arguably, one of the best coaching careers in the UAAP.

Bundit’s first year with the Lady Eagles in Season 76 resulted in a title, then an impressive undefeated run in Season 77 for his second year, and Ateneo’s second title.

Season 78 is no different with the Lady Eagles holding the first seed with an 11-2 record on Wednesday but the Thai mentor is worried of his Ateneo future, something team manager Tony Liao immediately quashed.

Liao said a Finals appearance for the Lady Eagles in Bundit’s third term would result in a contract extension.

“Sabi ko sa kanya, if we play in the finals most probably we will renew his contract, finals naman eh, lalo na kung manalo,” Liao said. “Basta umabot siya ng finals renewed contract siya for sure.”

Ateneo had an ideal start to the season with a 6-0 record but a loss to De La Salle at the end of the first round and University of the Philippines at the start of the second compounded Bundit’s worries.

“Nag 6-0 kami then natalo kami sa La Salle, tinanong niya uli ako sa kontrata, sabi ko wag muna pag usapan kontrata kasi matagal pa tournament,” Liao said. “Kasi nga siguro worried siya.”

Another reason why Bundit’s future at Ateneo has come at odds is his commitment to the Royal Thai Air Force where he serves as an officer.

Liao said Bundit’s superiors in the Royal Thai Air Force want the head coach to return to the military and become a Group Captain, a rank higher than his previous one.

“Once in a while pag break umuuwi siyang Thailand, merong siyang mga boss dun gusto siya pabalikin at kung bumalik siya one rank higher so pinapapili siya,” Liao said. “Kung dito siya, he will earn bigger, I will not say how much but bigger.”

“Maybe the family wants him to stay here, siya naman proud Thai siya at one rank higher yung offer.”