By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Bacolod Tay Tung High School 12-and-under Thunderbolts claimed the crown in the Grandest One-Day League Open Volleyball Tournament which recently took place in Negros Oriental’s Guihulngan City.

The 12-and-under Thunderbolts, handled by head coach Roberto Calamba Jr., bested the Don Pelagio Villegas Memorial Elementary School in the championship match.

Spearheading the Thunderbolts roster are Sheree Frederiz Uy, Regine Wongyan, Anickha Chua, Mari Cacho, Edriana Escultura, Czarina Ang, Chinnie Millama, and Mhegan Ordaniel.

Other members of the team are Gail Ordaniel, Morgan Sonota, Heart Abucion, Rain Lim, Choloe Depalubos, Sam Valenciano, and Ayana Palabrica.

“It was a total team effort by each of the players in the team,” Calamba said.

“I am happy that, at their young age, they have already won a championship, especially in a tiring tournament like this,” he added.

In the elimination round, the Thunderbolts prevailed over Basak Elementary School, Hilaitan Elementary School, Don Pelagio Villegas Memorial Elementary School, and Trinity Christian School.

The Thunderbolts repeated over Trinity Christian School in the semifinals round before topping the Don Pelagio Villegas Memorial Elementary School anew in the gold medal round.

Thunderbolts team manager Jose Montalbo, for his part, said that the second championship captured by the Calamba-mentored squad is a testament of the success of their grassroots program.

“Basta kami, we really never stop,” Montalbo said.

“We will continue flourishing our grassroots program to give opportunity and develop young and talented volleyball players,” he added./ASC, WDJ