Coach Roger Gorayeb and former player Jang Bualee. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Coach Roger Gorayeb is happy to see Jang Bualee’s volleyball career continue to flourish–this time as team manager and assistant coach for Nakhon Ratchasima–after his former import took Philippine volleyball to greater heights from its humble beginnings.
READ: AVC: Thai coach Jang Bualee has full circle moment in return to PH
Gorayeb and Bualee were reunited at the AVC Champions League during the match between Nakhon Ratchasima and PLDT on Tuesday at the Philsports Arena. Bualee was Gorayeb’s resident import at San Sebastian in the old Shakey’s V-League and played her final PVL season in 2017.
“I’m truly happy because Jang made a big impact in helping grow volleyball’s popularity here. She’s such a kind-hearted person. She played a huge role in the early years of the league, and I really appreciated not just her talent, but her attitude, too,” said Gorayeb in Filipino. “She’s got this Filipino-like warmth — easy to talk to, easy to get along with. It’s heartwarming.”
Though it had been years since their last meeting, Gorayeb said Bualee has always felt like part of his family.
Nakhon Ratchasima assistant coach Jang Bualee of Thailand during the AVC Champions League.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
“She even came back here two or three years ago. She stayed at my house just to visit us, because that was the time my wife passed away. She cried with us. She didn’t have a place to stay yet, so she stayed at my home. That really meant a lot to me,” he said.
For Bualee, seeing her former coach in the stands was a special moment.
“I’m very happy to see him again. I messaged him, ‘Coach, are you coming to approach me?’ He said, ‘yes, of course,’” said Bualee.
After beating PLDT in five sets, Bualee and Nakhon Ratchasima battles another Filipino team in Creamlinee—led by her former Ateneo teammate Alyssa Valdez, whom she played with in the 2013 V-League season.
Bualee plans to share her familiarity with her current players, although she said that Valdez’s game has reached a different level since they last played together.
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“I think Alyssa is stronger and very smart,” said Bualee. “I’ve known her since she was young, and she’s still playing at a high level. I’ve changed roles now, I’m a coach. Maybe I can help my team prepare for her. It’s our homework to study how she plays.”
Gorayeb is also looking forward to watching that matchup unfold between two of his former players—this time on the international stage.
