By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts overcame a tough challenge from Kings’ Montessori School (KMS) for a 24-26, 25-22, 25-23 victory in the 2024 Shakey’s Girls Volleyball League at the Arellano University Gym on Thursday, May 30.

Rhose Viane Almendralejo earned another Player of the Game honors after finishing with 16 points, all coming from attacks, as the Thunderbolts secured the solo first place in Pool C with a 2-0 record.

After dropping a tight opening set, the Thunderbolts were engaged in a close game with KMS in the second set before the former pulled away with conversions from Almendralejo and Jothea Ramos.

The Thunderbolts struggled to start the third set as they fell behind 11-18 before they slowly clawed their way back behind Ramos, Brianna Ang and Ana Franchessca Hermosura to tie the score at 22-all.

Bacolod Tay Tung took the lead at 23-22 on a connection by Camila Bartolome, but KMS tied the score for the last time at 23-all before the Thunderbolts responded with back-to-back points to complete a come-from-behind win.

This was the second straight win for the Thunderbolts after their 24-26, 25-23, 25-20 triumph against the University of Santo Tomas Junior Golden Tigresses on Wednesday, May 29.

Thunderbolts team manager Jose Montalbo admitted that the squad is still in the process of improving their on-court connection, the reason for some of their struggles in the first two games.

“Our team is still a work in progress,” Montalbo told Watchmen Daily Journal on Thursday.

“This is their first tournament together, so they are really building their chemistry,” he said.

“Our participation in Shakey’s is really a good opportunity for our young players to mature by facing the tough Metro Manila-based volleyball teams,” he added.

Bacolod Tay Tung will return to action against the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta Junior Altas on Sunday, June 2./ASC, WDJ