By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts advanced to the finals of the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League after a 25-18, 25-14, 25-23 win over Kings’ Montessori School in the semifinals at the Paco Arena on Thursday, June 6.
Rhose Viane Almendralejo finished with 14 points, built on 13 attacks and a block.
The Thunderbolts breezed through in the first two sets before being challenged early in the third period as they trailed 3-8.
But they quickly turned things around with a couple of runs to take a 20-16 advantage.
Kings’ Montessori made their last push to tie the score at 2-all after a kill block by Justine Decena, but a costly service error by teammate Shekaina Lleses followed by an attack by Almendralejo sealed the win for Bacolod Tay Tung.
“‘Yung kalaban malakas din naman pero nag-click lang siguro ‘yung depensa at block namin kaya ‘yun, natalo namin sila,” Thunderbolts head coach Ian Macariola said in a post-game interview.
“Sinabihan ko sila na kumapit lang [nung nag-down kami ng five points sa third set], i-enjoy lang sa loob ng court, at kung lamang ‘yung kalaban, okay lang, habol lang,” he added.
Jothea Ramos and Ana Franchesca Hermosura backed up Almendralejo offensively with 11 markers each for the Thunderbolts, which finished with a bronze medal in the tournament last year.
Shekaina Lleses had nine points while her twin Shehanna Lleses chipped in seven markers for Kings’ Montessori, which will attempt to salvage a bronze medal finish in the competition.
The Adamson University Lady Falcons, the reigning UAAP girls volleyball champion, moved on to the gold medal round after a 25-19, 25-17 and 25-17 sweep over the National University Nazareth School Lady Bullpups.
Setter Felicity Sumagaysay earned the Player of the Game honors after displaying her efficient ball distribution the entire game as they renewed their mastery over the Lady Bullpups.
The Thunderbolts will face the Lady Falcons in a one-game finale at the Adamson University Gym on Sunday, June 9./ASC, WDJ