Nakhon Ratchasima assistant coach and team manager Jang Bualee of Thailand during the AVC Champions League.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Jang Bualee, one of the pioneering imports in Philippine volleyball, went full circle from playing in the Shakey’s V-League and the PVL to coaching and handling Nakhon Ratchasima in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Champions League.
Bualee, a longtime player of coach Roger Gorayeb from San Sebastian in 2005 in the V-League and BaliPure in the 2017 PVL Reinforced Conference, relished her comeback in the Philippines, which hosted the first-ever Champions League.
SCHEDULE: Petro Gazz, Creamline, PLDT at 2025 AVC Champions League
Former PVL import Jang Bualee, now an assistant coach and team manager for Nakhon Ratchasima, relishes her comeback to the Philippines in the #AVCChampionsLeague @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/r7Et3b4whK
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) April 21, 2025
“When they asked me to come to join for the club, I was so excited with visiting the Philippines [for] this tournament. Of course, this made me come back home. So many people here in the Philippines are so kind and they say hi to me. For a long time, I [was] not here, but they still remembered me, I am so happy, and thankful for that,” said Bualee, a two-time Conference and Finals MVP in the V-League.
Bualee, who also played as an import for Ateneo and Lyceum, was grateful that the Philippine volleyball community still recognizes and greets her, urging the Filipino fans to support her club, Nakhon Ratchasima, too.
“We are here for the Thai team. I hope the fans will come to support our team or any team also here to be like happy and joyful with the games,” said the six-time V-League Best Import.
The 41-year-old Thai also reconnected with some PVL players like Creamline star Alyssa Valdez, who is also playing in the Champions League, and Cha Cruz-Behag, now an assistant coach for the Petro Gazz Angels.
“When they knew that I will come here, they messaged me: ‘Ate are you here? I am excited and I want to see you.’ And they will come to see or support our team,” said Bualee.
READ: AVC preview: Meet the imports boosting PVL teams’ campaigns
Jang Bualee also reconnects with her former teammates and rivals from the V-League and PVL. #AVCChampionsLeague @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/Y96tipKqyP
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) April 21, 2025
“When I saw them at the hotel, they said ‘Oh, ate you are here! Are you playing?’ I said no, it’s too much for me and I am too old for that. But first, like the team, they asked me to play, but if I practice with them, maybe I can. But I have been working and I have no time for that. That’s why I focus to be better as a coach. With them in Alyssa, yeah they still remember me.”
Bualee, who was part of the Sports Vision-organized league’s humble beginnings, was happy to see the rise of PVL, seeing great players emerge.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.
“When I thought of the growth of Philippine volleyball, compared to when I came and now, they are now very different. They are now very popular, the players are much stronger. Like I know. I only watch the game and the Philippine national team. But now, everything is so perfect. With the teams supporting and the players are well,” she said.
Bualee also saw the success of her former opponents Aiza Maizo-Pontillas and Chie Saet win a championship recently in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference.
“I saw her, I said how strong her team is strong in Petro Gazz. I have been praying for a long time [for their success] and I am so happy that I saw her again here in the Philippines, and they’re still playing,” she said.
