By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Negros Occidental’s elementary and secondary teams swept the girls’ volleyball event gold medals in the 2023 Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association (WVRAA) Meet yesterday.
The Bacolod Tay Tung High School, representing Negros Occidental, clinched the championship in the elementary girls’ division after beating Iloilo in the finals, 25-12, 25-15, 25-20, at Aklan Catholic College in Kalibo.
Behind the consistent showing of Samantha Cañete and a perfect setting by Marishka Andrada, the Negrenses stamped their class on the Ilonggas to complete their unbeaten run in the tournament.
Before the championship game, the Roberto Calamba, Jr.-mentored crew scored victories over Antique (25-16, 25-6) and Capiz (25-5, 25-5) before beating Guimaras (25-18, 23-25, 25-9) in the semifinals.
Also part of the Negros team were Arianne Alayon, Czarina Ang, Maria Coronica, Adriana Escultura, Adriel Montalbo, Yerief Montalbo, Miley Panganiban, Jessica Soco, Sheree Uy, and Mary Wongyan.
Negros Occidental head coach Roberto Calamba, Jr. said they were happy to capture the school’s first-ever WVRAA Meet title and will look forward to competing in the Cluster Meet for a chance to play in the 2023 Palarong Pambansa in Marikina City.
“This [WVRAA Meet elementary girls’ championship] is a first for the Bacolod Tay Tung volleyball program and we are looking forward to go all the way to Palarong Pambansa,” Calamba told Watchmen Daily Journal.
Meanwhile, Negros Occidental remained the queen in the secondary girls’ volleyball after beating Iloilo in five tight sets in the gold medal game at the Laguimbanua Elementary School in Aklan’s Numancia town.
Pushed to a fifth set and were just ahead by one late in the decider, Negros Occidental showed steadiness in the endgame against Iloilo with a 4-2 scoring run to seal the regional championship.
On their way to the finals, Negros Occidental defeated Capiz (25-15, 25-13) and Antique (25-11, 25-8) in the group stage before taking down Aklan (28-26, 25-5, 25-13) in the semifinals round.
Also part of the team were Katherine Shaine Cortez, Alex Montoro, Dona Mae de Leon, Mary Antonette Bontia, Jothea Ramos, Joenil Ramos, Rhose Vianne Almendralejo, Jihan Chuatico, Alijah Ysulan, Ana Hermosura, Patricia Hiponia, and Camila Amor Bartolome./ASC, WDJ