Jang Bualee reflects on here time in the SVL

Jang Bualee reflects on here time in the SVL

by rick olivares

It has been two years since Thai volleyball player Jaroensri Bualee competed in the V-League and despite playing the game she loves in the Maldives at the moment, she still keeps track of what goes on in Philippine volleyball. The Reinforced Conference has drawn greater interest since many of her former teammates are now suiting up for BaliPure and Bureau of Customs along with Thai imports.

“It is good to see that volleyball has become more popular,’ says the 33-year old Bualee who hails from Sakon Na Khon, Thailand. Jang, as Bualee is nicknamed, first came to the Philippines as a guest player for San Sebastian College in 2005 and later with Ateneo.  

“At that time, I only played the middle hitter position but San Sebastian needed an outside hitter,” recounted Jang. Her university coach was a friend of Tonyboy Liao who was managing Ateneo and helping out the San Sebastian team as he was friends with its longtime head coach, Roger Gorayeb. “I asked them to give me a chance and that is what happened. I played in Vietnam before that and I thought it might be the same in the Philippines. I am happy I went there.”

And what followed was one of the longest stints by a foreign player in the country’s amateur volleyball circuit as she suited up from 2005-14 winning a few championships and awards along the way.

“Playing in the SVL was one of the best experiences,” added Bualee. “I had good times and made many friends. And seeing volleyball becoming popular in the Philippines, I am happy if I contributed in any way to that.”

by rick olivares

It has been two years since Thai volleyball player Jaroensri Bualee competed in the V-League and despite playing the game she loves in the Maldives at the moment, she still keeps track of what goes on in Philippine volleyball. The Reinforced Conference has drawn greater interest since many of her former teammates are now suiting up for BaliPure and Bureau of Customs along with Thai imports.

“It is good to see that volleyball has become more popular,’ says the 33-year old Bualee who hails from Sakon Na Khon, Thailand. Jang, as Bualee is nicknamed, first came to the Philippines as a guest player for San Sebastian College in 2005 and later with Ateneo.  

“At that time, I only played the middle hitter position but San Sebastian needed an outside hitter,” recounted Jang. Her university coach was a friend of Tonyboy Liao who was managing Ateneo and helping out the San Sebastian team as he was friends with its longtime head coach, Roger Gorayeb. “I asked them to give me a chance and that is what happened. I played in Vietnam before that and I thought it might be the same in the Philippines. I am happy I went there.”

And what followed was one of the longest stints by a foreign player in the country’s amateur volleyball circuit as she suited up from 2005-14 winning a few championships and awards along the way.

“Playing in the SVL was one of the best experiences,” added Bualee. “I had good times and made many friends. And seeing volleyball becoming popular in the Philippines, I am happy if I contributed in any way to that.”