By ADRIAN STEWART CO

Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts’ aspirants team emerged as the third best team in the Don Salvador Benedicto (DSB) 2nd Invitational Open Women’s Category League in Negros Occidental’s Don Salvador Benedicto town recently.

The Thunderbolts, mostly composed of players aged 12 to 14 years old, turned back the tertiary team of Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod, 25-18, 13-25, 25-13, to capture the bronze medal.

Ilongga Ana Ysabelle Hermosura stood up for the Ralph Savellano-mentored Thunderbolts’ aspirants team as she was hailed as the Best Setter at the close of the three-day tournament.

Also part of the Thunderbolts squad are Jam Montalbo, Adriana Escultura, Alexa Bertolano, Caitlin Espinosa, Shannen Bañas, Athena Magbanua, Kara Feril, and Xabrej Española.

Thunderbolts team manager Jose Montalbo said he is proud of the performance of the school’s aspirants team as their opponents are mostly in college or have already graduated.

“I can consider this as an achievement for them because our opponents here in the DSB tournament are, if not college-based teams, eh ‘yung mga graduated players na,” Montalbo said.

“As members of the Bacolod Tay Tung aspirants team, I want them to enjoy the moment and for them to continue improving. So that when the time comes, we can elevate them to the juniors team,” he added.

Team Stephen L. Borgas squad emerged as the champions in the women’s open category after defeating Team Murcia in the tightly-contested championship game.

Meanwhile, in the men’s open category, Team Tarag Lolek bagged the championship as they prevailed over Team Loyal in the finals./ASC, WDJ