By Jerome S. Galunan Jr.

Bacolod Tay Tung High School overcame four days of tough competitions as it outplayed visiting Ateneo de Cebu yesterday: 25-4, 22-25, 25-6 and 25-15 to capture the 3rd JGM Finance Corporation U17 Volleyball Tournament at the Bacolod Tay Tung High School covered court.
Gaining momentum from a dominating first set, the Thunderbolts never gave their Cebuana counterparts a chance to catch up as they took the game in 4 sets of the 5-set finals.
Eventual MVP Kezzia Dazzie Bedonia led Tay Tung Thunderbolts with a solid performance alongside other awardees: Marianne Somotil (best setter), Jeanny Padilla (best receiver), and Rhean Hebraica Almendralejo (best blocker).
Tay Tung coach Hohn Philippe Loresto said he constantly reminded his players to stay focused in the game and play hard, adding he sees his team as a solid side for the incoming NOPSSCEA season and Palaro NIR.
Meanwhile, University of St. La Salle settled for second runner-up after surviving Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod: 22-25, 25-17 and 25-10.
Anglelyna Grace Canieso of Ateneo de Cebu was named best server while Marisse Cosain of La Salle was best spiker.
Next year’s event is expected to be stronger after several teams from Manila and Central Luzon have shown interest in participating in the tournament, JGM Finance Corp. president Jose Montalbo said./WDJ