By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts salvaged a bronze medal finish in the 2022 Rebisco Volleyball League National Finals at the Nagano Gymnasium in Nueva Ecija’s San Leonardo town on Wednesday night, December 14.
The Thunderbolts, representing Western Visayas in the competition, notched the bronze medal following a 25-13, 25-23, 25-20 straight-set victory over Naga College Foundation Tigers.
Dona Mae de Leon, Alex Montoro, Jihan Chuatico, and Ana Hermosura stood tall for the Thunderbolts against the Tigers as they improved from their fourth place finish during the previous edition of the tournament.
“We might have fallen short of our goal, but I am proud since our players gave their best,” Thunderbolts team manager Jose Montalbo said.
“We played hard but kinulang lang talaga,” he said.
“However, this is a great learning experience for each of our players and hope that we can build on this, and for our graduating players to bring this experience wherever they will play next,” he added.
Prior to the win over the Tigers, the Thunderbolts failed to reach the championship round after bowing to Nazareth School of National University (NSNU) Lady Bulldogs in the semifinals, 25-18, 23-25, 25-20.
It was the Thunderbolts’ lone defeat in the weeklong tourney after sweeping their group matches against the Tigers (25-27, 25-18, 25-16), Eastern Visayas champion Leyte National High School (25-20, 25-16), and Northern Luzon champion Juan R. Liwag National High School (25-10, 25-20).
Also part of the Thunderbolts team were Katherine Shaine Cortez, Amber Lily Biong, Gwen Bañas, Jothea Mae Ramos, Camila Amor Bartolome, Alijah Marie Ysulan, Patricia Grace Hiponia, and Rhose Viane Almendralejo.
Meanwhile, NSNU Lady Bullpups emerged as champions in the tournament after defeating California Precision Sports in the finals with Kiana Olango being named as MVP.
Three Western Visayas-based players were also part of the Lady Bullpups roster in Bacolodnon Celine Marsh, who was named as the first outside attacker, as well as Ilonggas Althea Maloto and Robielle Silla./ASC, WDJ