By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts emerged as champions in the secondary girls’ volleyball tournament of the Victor C. Plagata Cup Season XVII at the Bingawan Civic Center in Bingawan, Iloilo on Sunday night, July 21.

The Thunderbolts, composed mostly of players from the Western Visayas team that ruled the 2024 Palarong Pambansa, clinched the crown after a 25-17, 31-29, 25-15 win over the Malinao Pythons of Aklan in the one-game finals.

Rhose Almendralejo emerged as the most consistent player for the Thunderbolts to be named as tournament Most Valuable Player, 1st Best Outside Spiker, and was part of the Mythical Team.

Brianna Nikola Ang and Camila Amor Bartolome were named 1st and 2nd Best Middle Blocker, respectively, while Joenil Anne Ramos was adjudged as 2nd Best Outside Spiker.

They were all included in the mythical team.

Also receiving individual citations from the Bacolod Tay Tung squad were Czarina Marcella Dosayla as Best Opposite Spiker, and Rhea Mae Tomas as the tournament’s Best Libero.

Also part of the team are Ana Ysabelle Hermosura, Mary Antonette Bontia, Jan Rose Bulak, Abigael Jirah Labajo, Edz Karylle Escultura, Alexa Bertolano, and Kara Sophia Feril.

After sweeping their three group stage matches last July 19 and 20, the Thunderbolts cruised to a dominant 25-7, 25-14 straight set victory over Iloilo Doctor’s College early on Sunday.

In the semifinals round later that afternoon, the Ian Macariola-mentored Thunderbolts prevailed over Ateneo de Iloilo, 25-10, 25-23, while the Malinao Pythons edged the Northwestern Visayas College Maroons, 25-21, 4-25, 26-24.

On the other hand, the Northwestern Visayas College Maroons salvaged a bronze medal finish following a 25-14, 25-17 straight set victory over Ateneo de Iloilo in the battle-for-third place game.

In the men’s open category, D’Navigators Iloilo bagged the crown after defeating JC’s Angels in the finals, while University of San Agustin edged Bingawan for the third place crown./ASC, WDJ