COACH Roger Gorayeb dismissed reports of a rift with assistant Anusorn 'Tai' Bundit after conflicting announcements by the national volleyball federation about the coaching job for a tournament in Vietnam where the Philippine women’s volleyball team is seeing action.
“Wala kaming problema ni Tai. Sa totoo lang may mga plano na nga kami ni Tai sa team," Gorayeb said.
Two weeks ago, reports came out that Larong Volleyball sa Pilipinas Inc. president Joey Romasanta had announced that Gorayeb has been replaced by Bundit as head coach as per a board resolution.
But LVPI secretary general Rikcy Palou later denied it and insisted Gorayeb is in charge.
"I've spoken to coach Roger Gorayeb. The coach for this Vietnam tilt is still going to be Roger," said Palou on Tuesday.
"We are maintaining the same coaching staff that we have in the Southeast Asian Games. We want to keep Roger and Tai together so there will be continuity," he added.
Rumors of a falling-out between Gorayeb and Bundit started when talk came out of a supposed shouting match between the two coaches during the recent Southeast Asian Games over the fielding of players in one game.
However, Gorayeb denied there was ever a misunderstanding, insisting he and Bundit are still on the same page.
A source who personally saw Bundit in Thailand said the Ateneo coach had no idea of his supposed appointment as head coach of the national team by the LVPI.
“I saw Tai in Thailand and I congratulated him, but it seems that he’s not aware of it,” said the source.
The Philippines is set to join the VTV Invitational Volleyball Cup in Vietnam but from the 12 players from the SEA Games squad, only five are confirmed to join – skipper Jovelyn Gonzaga, Abi Marano, Dindin Santiago-Manabat, Rhea Dimaculangan and Maika Ortiz.
Bundit is expected to return from Thailand on Sunday.
Source: Mei-Lin Lozada of Spin.ph
