Tai Bundit to coach new Spikers’ Turf team Criss Cross

New Spikers’ Turf club Criss Cross King Crunchers and their head coach Tai Bundit, who is making his Philippine volleyball comeback.–LANCE AGCAOILI/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines — Coach Tai Bundit makes his much-anticipated Philippine volleyball comeback, this time, in the men’s division as he leads the debuting Criss Cross King Crunchers in the Spikers’ Turf.

Bundit, who last coached Creamline in the 2021 PVL bubble, was tasked to embark on Rebisco’s new journey in men’s volleyball as the coach of the King Crunchers, bannered by Marck Espejo, Ysay Marasigan, Rex Intal, Kim Malabunga, Ish Polvorosa, and Manuel Sumanguid III.

Criss Cross may be the newest team in the men’s volleyball club league but Bundit has high expectations.

“My dream [is for us to be a] champion,” Bundit told reporters.

The Thai coach, who served as a consultant for Creamline and Choco Mucho in the PVL last year, vowed to repay the longtime support of Rebisco and owner Jonathan C. Ng for him in the past years.

Bundit, who led Ateneo to two UAAP championships and delivered Creamline’s first three PVL titles, is determined to surpass his previous achievements when he debuts in the Spikers’ Turf. 

“I have experience, I will do better for the men’s team [of] Rebisco,” said Bundit, who led Nakhon Ratchasima men’s and women’s to championships in the Volleyball Thailand League last year.

FILE – Tai Bundit. –TRISTAN TAMAYO/INQUIRER.net

READ: Tai Bundit wins titles back in Thailand

Bundit, who is known for the “happy, happy” and “heartstrong” mantra, is pleased with the progress of his wards Chu Njigha, Gian Glorioso, Vince Mangulabnan, Juvie Mangaring, Geuel Asia, Jude Garcia, Anthony Arbasto, Philip Bagalay, and Jaron Requinton, who started training last January 16.

“My players [are] very good, they concentrate in training and I will support them to be better players,” said Bundit.

Marasigan, the Criss Cross skipper, admitted that Bundit’s training is really hard but he believes it will be worth it for their new team.

“It’s really hard. Of course, coach Tai is really focused on basic skills and he doesn’t want us to take his training for granted. You have to be serious in every drill and he is strict when it comes to finishing the needed training program on time,” he said in Filipino.

Malabunga, who played for coach Dante Alinsunurin’s system from National University to the Philippine men’s volleyball team, and his first-time club teammate Intal relished the new environment and tactics under the Thai coach.

“If I were to describe coach Tai’s training, it’s hard but happy. Even if it’s tiring, we’re still smiling [because we know it’s worth it]. We’re feeling the good vibes,” Intal said in Filipino.