By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts volleyball team added another trophy to their collection after ruling the 43rd NOPSSCEA Aspirants Girls volleyball tournament held at the Bacolod Tay Tung High School Gym.

The Thunderbolts completed a perfect run in the tournament after defeating Trinity Christian School in the championship match behind the all-around efforts of Alexa Bertolano.

Also part of the Thunderbolts squad are Edz Karylle Escultura, Maria Shannen Bañas, Kyana Cortez, Zelver Banguiao, Jamyl Montalbo, Memielle Letran, and Ariane Mae Alayon.

Completing the Bacolod Tay Tung roster are Samantha Cañete, Marishka Andrada, Janiyah Lagulao, Athena Magbanua, Kara Feril, Luchi Vivero, and Yeriel Zafina Montalbo.

The Thunderbolts, which were handled by coaches Judy Fernandez and Gerzan Banzuela, swept all of their preliminary round matches and also won their semifinals match.

“It was a total team effort by the players. Alexa stepped up offensively for the team, but other players also had their contributions,” Thunderbolts team manager Jose Montalbo said.

“This may be Bacolod Tay Tung High School’s Aspirants volleyball team, but the players have displayed hunger and desire to win the entire tournament, and are showing that they are ready to move up to the juniors team,” he added.

Overall, this was the Thunderbolts’ fourth consecutive NOPSSCEA Aspirants Girls volleyball title, including two championships prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This was the Bacolod Tay Tung High School girls volleyball squad’s second NOPSSCEA championship this season after retaining their secondary girls’ category crown last month.

St. John’s Institute-Bacolod Baby Falcons ended with the aspirants bronze medal trophy in the division after successfully winning their battle-for-third place match./ASC, WDJ