By ADRIAN STEWART CO
Western Visayas (WV) clawed back from a fifth set deficit to score a stunning 18-25, 25-20, 19-25, 25-16, 18-16 victory over National Capital Region (NCR) in the finals of Palarong Pambansa 2023 secondary girls volleyball at the Marikina Sports Center over the weekend.
Dona Mae de Leon was hailed as the Best Player of the Game with 21 points, while Jothea Ramos, Jihan Chuatico and Katherine Shaine Cortez also contributed to the championship win.
After sending the match to a deciding set with a massive 25-16 fourth set victory, WV found themselves trailing at 0-6 and later at 6-10 to dethrone champions NCR midway in the fifth frame.
But the Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts-represented WV slowly clawed its way back to tie the score at 14-all and lastly at 16-all before pulling off two crucial points from Ramos to clinch the gold medal.
Also part of WV high school girls volley are Ana Hermosura, Alex Montoro, Mary Antonette Bontia, Joenil Ramos, Rhose Vianne Almendralejo, Jihan Chuatico, Alijah Ysulan, Patricia Hiponia, and Camila Amor Bartolome.
Meanwhile, WV elementary boys basketball team completed Palaro dominance after a 75-58 rout of Northern Mindanao in the finals at the MARIST School Gymnasium on Saturday, August 5.
James Carlo Ramos was named as the Most Valuable Player following his efficient performance for the Bacolod Tay Tung High School-represented WV team, while Nicus Robert Calma was listed as among the Mythical Five.
The WV elementary cagers, being handled by Ryan Nabor and Atoy Callora, went to work in the opening half with precise offense from Ramos and Calma for a 42-18 halftime lead.
However, Northern Mindanao came out in the second half as a more aggressive team as they were able to put some points to cut the deficit to 34-53, but the WV regained their offense in the final quarter to seal the win.
Also part of the squad are Francis Luis Gabriel Alcoran, Kevin Ashton, Jared Bunol, Zachary James Caunsing Acster Ken Panisales, Ronald Miguel Delada, Magz Joseph Magbanua, Josef Babor, Tristan Alexander Randall, Gian Tan, and Chase Liam Verba./ASC, WDJ