By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts remained the dominant team in the secondary girls’ volleyball division of the Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports Cultural Educational Association.

The Thunderbolts clinched the 2022 edition of the Negros Occidental-qualifying competition following a 25-13, 25-17, 25-6 victory over St. John’s Institute-Bacolod Lady Falcons at the University of St. La Salle (USLS) Covered Court in Bacolod City.

Bannering the squad were veterans Katherine Shaine Cortez, Gwen Bañas, Dona Mae De Leon, Ana Francessca Hermosura, Rhose Viane Almendralejo, Alexia Montoro, and Camila Amor Bartolome.

Also part of the team were sisters Jothea and Joenil Ramos, Amber Lily Biong, Alijah Marie Ysulan, Jihan Isabelle Chuatico, Mary Antonette Bontia, Patricia Grace Hiponia, Sophie Cagalawan, and Elphie Grace Cahilig.

The Thunderbolts went undefeated in the preliminary round against Maranatha Christian Academy, Colegio de Sta. Ana de Victorias, Colegio de San Agustin-Bacolod, and St. Theresita Academy.

Bacolod Tay Tung also earned an outright finals seat and a twice-to-beat incentive after defeating the USLS-Bacolod in the quarterfinals.

“I can say that this group is the best Bacolod Tay Tung secondary girls’ volleyball team that we have assembled. We are complete in every position,” Thunderbolts team manager Jose Montalbo said.

Montalbo added that the tournament was a huge help as some of the players are part of the Western Visayas team that will compete in the Rebisco Volleyball Team National Finals next week in Nueva Vizcaya.

Meanwhile, Bacolod Tay Tung High School elementary girls’ volleyball team is also headed to the championship round after defeating Trinity Christian School, 20-25, 25-9, 25-14, on Saturday, December 3.

The Roberto Calamba, Jr.-mentored Thunderbolts will have a twice-to-beat advantage against a still undetermined opponent on December 10 at the same venue./ASC, WDJ