Tai Bundit. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
Tai Bundit was the architect of Ateneo’s most successful years in the UAAP women’s volleyball landscape, but that era of his has finally come to an end.
The Lady Eagles’ dancing mentor coached his final game on Saturday after Ateneo bowed in four sets to Far Eastern University in the Final Four at Mall of Asia Arena capping off the five-year span wherein the school won its only two titles.
“Yes, this is my last game,” said Bundit. “Ateneo did a really good job already, we have a new setter, a new libero, and we went to the Final Four. That’s already good enough for me.”
Bundit’s first two years in the UAAP saw Ateneo become the undisputed power with three-time MVP Alyssa Valdez leading the Lady Eagles to back-to-back titles in Seasons 76 and 77.
Although Ateneo failed to win another title after 2015, the Lady Eagles featured in the finals in the next two years with Bundit heading the team.
After Valdez left in 2016, where Ateneo finished with the silver medal, it was up to setter Jia Morado and libero Gizelle Tan to anchor the team in 2017 when the Lady Eagles finished once more as the runners-up.
Bundit then, relied on setter Deanna Wong and converted libero Ponggay Gaston to complement Maddie Madayag, Bea De Leon, Kat Tolentino, and Jhoana Maraguinot.
“I love Ateneo, I love my players, I love my alumni, everything Ateneo,” said Bundit who will now coach Creamline. “I love my players, they worked very hard for me.”
Bundit added he can now spend time with his family who are in Thailand as he plans to go back to his home country after the season.
“I’m very happy, I can go to my family.”