Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts volleybelle Joan Marie Monares is set to suit up for the University of the Philippines Lady Maroons.
Thunderbolts team manager Jose Montalbo confirmed Monares’ move to the Lady Maroons once she finishes her high school career with the Thunderbolts next year.
“Joan will play for the UP Lady Maroons. She has committed,” Montalbo said. “(Lady Maroons head coach Godfrey) Okumu have long wanted to get her because he personally saw Joan play in Bacolod.”
Okumu, in an earlier interview, have professed his desire to have Monares to the Lady Maroons due to her winning attitude for being part of Thunderbolts’ several championship runs.
“One thing I like about her is her fighting spirit,” the Lady Maroons mentor said. “Another thing is the leadership she showed when she plays for Bacolod Tay Tung.”
The 17-year-old Monares will become the third Thunderbolts player in the Fighting Maroons’ camp after Ilongga Marianne Sotomil and incoming rookie libero Jeanny Padilla./ASC, WDJ