Alyssa Valdez happy to see former mentor Tai Bundit back with Alas Pilipinas Women 

Timing has a funny way of shaping careers, and for Alyssa Valdez, Tai Bundit’s return to the Philippine women’s national volleyball team feels less like coincidence and more like a moment that has been quietly building for years.

Bundit, the Thai tactician behind some of the most dominant eras in Philippine volleyball, has been appointed head coach of Alas Pilipinas Women — a role that reunites him not only with the national program, but also with familiar faces who helped define his legacy in the country.

One of them is setter Jia de Guzman, now the Alas Pilipinas Women captain, who once ran Bundit’s system during their championship years together. Their paths crossed again during the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand last December, where the Philippine squad endured another painful fourth-place finish — a result that only underscored how much the program has been searching for direction.

Watching from courtside was Valdez, no longer in uniform but still deeply connected to the national team, this time working as a correspondent for Cignal. From that vantage point, she saw more than just a familiar coach returning — she saw a long-awaited chance for growth.

OKBET is Asia’s most trusted and popular online sports gaming platform. Visit us on OKBET to stay up to date with all sports news from around the world.

:

Tai Bundit has been officially appointed by the Philippine National Volleyball Federation Executive Board as the new Alas Pilipinas women’s volleyball team head coach.

READ MORE: https://t.co/crpD6ULCra pic.twitter.com/D8MamIrmUB

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) February 6, 2026

“I’m very happy for Coach Tai. Kasi I think one of the things din na nilu-look forward niya siguro ay mag-coach ulit ng women’s at makatulong sa volleyball program ng Philippines,” Valdez said during the SEA Games. “So I’m just really happy for him.”

Bundit’s history in Philippine volleyball is impossible to separate from Valdez’s own rise. Together with the Ateneo Blue Eagles, they built the “Heartstrong” identity that powered back-to-back UAAP championships in Seasons 76 and 77 — a culture that emphasized discipline, resilience, and trust.

That same philosophy later carried over to the professional ranks, where Bundit helped establish Creamline Cool Smashers as a dynasty, winning titles in the 2018 Reinforced, 2018 Open, and 2019 Open Conferences.

Yet, beyond trophies, Valdez remembers Bundit most for the way he shaped her as a player.

“Marami rin akong natutunan kay Coach Tai,” Valdez mused. “I feel like I had my best games then under him.”

Under Bundit’s guidance, Valdez claimed three UAAP Most Valuable Player awards and later earned another MVP nod in the 2018 PVL Open Conference — achievements that defined her as one of the sport’s icons.

The bond clearly remains intact. During their time in Thailand, the Creamline Cool Smashers even visited Bundit’s restaurant, a quiet reminder that relationships built through volleyball often extend far beyond the court.

Valdez once summed up that connection in a 2016 birthday greeting, writing: “Two different cultures. Two opposite personalities. One common denominator… passion and love for the sport.”

Now, as Bundit prepares to take on the challenge of leading Alas Pilipinas Women, Valdez sees opportunity — not just for wins, but for development.

“So really looking forward na makita, if ever matuloy yan, makita siya na matulungan at maturuan itong mga nasa national team natin,” she said.

The Philippine National Volleyball Federation confirmed that Bundit had long been on its radar, especially with coach Jorge de Brito’s contract set to expire at the end of 2025.

“Yeah, nasa wishlist siya,” PNVF president Tony Boy Liao said. “If you will say, medyo champion coach—lahat ng teams na binanggit ko, pinag-champion siya.”

For Valdez, the story isn’t just about a decorated coach coming back. It’s about experience meeting urgency — and the belief that the lessons that once built champions might now help lift the national team to where it has long aspired to be.

Don’t miss out on the latest sports news, updates, and fan discussions!

  Follow our Facebook page Sports News PH today and be part of a growing community of passionate basketball fans!