By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The NOPSSCEA, represented by the Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts, emerged as champions in the Bacolod Division Meet secondary girls volleyball tournament at the Lopez Jaena Elementary School in Bacolod City on Monday, February 12.

The NOPSSCEA, competing under the Unit 5 banner, clinched the crown after a 25-15, 25-9, 25-16 victory over Mariano G. Medalla Integrated School (Unit 4) in the finals round.

Rhose Viane Almendralejo emerged as the top performer for NOPSSCEA, while Brianna Nikola Ang and Czarina Dosayla also made their presence felt in the dominant championship win.

Also part of the NOPSSCEA secondary girls volleyball team are sisters Jothea Mae and Joenil Anne Ramos, Dona Mae de Leon, Ana Franchessca Hermosura, and Mary Antonette Bontia.

Completing the squad are Camila Amor Bartolome, Ana Ysabelle Hermosura, Jan Rose Bulak, and Rhea Mae Tomas.

Serving as head coach is Ian Macariola, with Judy Rodriguez, Julie Ann Samonte and Romel Taniñas as part of his staff.

On their way to the championship round, NOPSSCEA prevailed over all of their elimination round opponents before defeating Bacolod City National High School in the semis, 25-6, 25-9.

NOPSSCEA team manager Jose Montalbo stated that he is relieved that they pulled off the championship despite the qualification tournament being held on a substandard court.

“Of course, we are happy that we were able to perform well despite the safety risks posed by the playing court, which has poor lighting, uneven flooring, and not a secure environment,” Montalbo said.

“I have actually offered my Montalbo court to serve as the host of the Division Meet, but they opted to conduct the games in Lopez Jaena Elementary School. Hopefully, that will be the last time that we are playing there,” he added.

Topping the Division Meet, the NOPSSCEA secondary girls volleyball team will now advance to the Palarong Panlalawigan tentatively slated from April 7 to 13 in Bacolod./ASC, WDJ