Philips Gold enlists Ateneo Thai coach

MANILA, Philippines - Philips Gold has tapped Ateneo’s Tai Bundit as its new coach when it launches its title bid in the season-opening Shakey’s V-League conference on May 15.

“Yes, he’s (Bundit) now the coach,” said a high-placed league source.

Eric Ty, Philips Gold team manager, also recently posted a photo of Bundit, who steered the Lady Eagles to two UAAP championships before losing to La Salle in this season, handling the team practice at the Moro Lorenzo Gym in Ateneo.

The Lady Slammers played in the Philippine Superliga for two years before transferring to the Shakey’s V-League, where it all started, this season.

While it brought several of its players, including Myla Pablo, Melissa Gohing and Michelle Gumabao, Philips Gold lost coach Francis Vicente.

But with Bundit at the helm, chances to acquire Alyssa Valdez are now high after the newly graduated Ateneo star confirmed she’s again playing in the V-League.

It’s highly possible she’ll end up with Philips Gold.

The problem though is that Philips Gold is planning to use the Pocari Sweat brand, a competitor of Gatorade that Valdez endorses.

It also not yet known whether Bundit will bring in some of the core of his Ateneo squad that included Amy Ahomiro, Bea de Leon, Jia Morado, and former Lady Eagles Ella de Jesus and Denden Lazaro.