A name etched in the golden era of Philippine collegiate volleyball, two-time Shakey’s V-League MVP Jang Bualee has once again set foot on familiar ground—only this time, not as a fiery opposite spiker terrorizing defenders, but as a seasoned mentor guiding Thailand’s Nakhon Ratchasima at the 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League.
Known for her scoring prowess and charisma during her stints with San Sebastian and BaliPure, Bualee was a household name in the mid-2000s to early 2010s. Her return to the country nearly eight years since her last professional appearance in the Premier Volleyball League has been nothing short of emotional and symbolic.
“When they asked me to come to join for the club, I was so excited when they said the Philippines would host the tournament. Of course, this made me come back home,” said Bualee.
The Thai may not be donning the jersey anymore, but her return still carried the weight of a legend revisiting her second home. Her presence alone stirred memories for fans and peers alike, a reminder of her electrifying performances with San Sebastian under the tutelage of veteran coach Roger Gorayeb.
“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 thank you for that,” she shared,.
But more than a walk down memory lane, Bualee’s return has also allowed her to witness firsthand the strides Philippine volleyball has made since her heyday.
From the long drought in SEA Games medals between 2006 and 2017 to the country's resurgence with an Asian Games qualification in 2018, and now, a historic bronze finish in the 2024 AVC Women’s Challenge Cup via Alas Pilipinas—Bualee has taken notice of the transformation.
“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 very more strong,” she noted.
“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.”
The evolution of the game was evident to her not only in the national team's development but also in the enduring careers of some of her former rivals and teammates.
One such moment was a reunion with Philippine volleyball sweetheart Alyssa Valdez, with whom she shared the court during Ateneo’s Shakey’s V-League runs in 2015 and 2016.
“When I saw her 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 said with a chuckle.
It’s these human moments—spontaneous, heartwarming, sincere—that have made Bualee’s visit all the more meaningful. Beyond volleyball, it's a story of connection, of memories that never faded despite the years and the miles.
Adding another layer of emotional fulfillment was the recent triumph of Petro Gazz in the 2024–25 PVL All-Filipino Conference. The victory marked the Angels’ first All-Filipino crown—one that Bualee closely followed, especially as it featured names from her Philippine volleyball past: Aiza Maizo-Pontillas, veteran setter Chie Saet, and assistant coach Cha Cruz-Behag.
“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,” said Bualee.
