By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts’ aspirants volleyball team captured the crown in the 18-and-under category of the 41st Pasalamat Festival Age Group Volleyball Tournament in Negros Occidental’s La Carlota City on Wednesday, April 19.

The Thunderbolts’ aspirants team clinched the championship in the three-day tournament after beating La Carlota City selection in the gold medal match in straight sets, 25-16, 28-26.

Czarina Marcella Dosayla was hailed as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the competition, while Jan Rose Bulak was named as Best Setter and Alexa Bertolano as Best Outside Hitter.

During the elimination round, the Thunderbolts’ aspirants team prevailed over Living Stones International School and Binalbagan before suffering their lone defeat to La Carlota City selection.

The Thunderbolts’ aspirants team bounced back in the finals as they took a lopsided 25-16 victory in the first set before being pushed to the limit by La Carlota in the second set.

Also part of the Ralph Savellano-mentored squad were Brianna Nikola Ang, Shannen Banas, Vianna Estrella, Ana Hermosura, Antheia Galicia, Elphie Cahilig, Janiyah Lagulao, Kara Feril, Caltin Espinosa, Edz Escultura, and Jamyl Montalbo.

“It was a good performance by our aspirants team. They showed how to bounce back from a defeat, against the team that had beaten us in the eliminations,” team manager Jose Montalbo said.

“This shows that these players have what it takes to be elevated to our senior team. Most of our players were 13 to 15 years old and yet they were able to win in an 18-and-under tournament,” he added.

Meanwhile, La Carlota City selection has emerged as champion in the 15-and-under category with Kimberly Chelmel Rubin being named as the MVP and Rianne Montesa II as Best Opposite Hitter.

Other Negros Occidental-based teams that participated in the three-day age group tournament were Ma-ao Elementary, Alpha Ma-ao, LCC Lady Titans, and San Miguel Kalye./ASC, WDJ