By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts claimed the championship in the Under-17 volleyball girls category of the Bayawan Mayor’s Cup held in Negros Oriental’s Bayawan City.

Alexa Bertolano, the younger sister of Farm Fresh Foxies’ hitter Alyssa Bertolano, stepped up offensively for the Thunderbolts as they defeated St. John’s Institute-Bacolod in the finals.

Also part of the Thunderbolts team are Rhose Vianne Almendralejo, Athena Danielle Magbanua, Edz Karylle Escultura, Sam Canete, Shannen Banas, Marishka Andrada, and Ana Ysabelle Hermosura.

Completing the Bacolod Tay Tung team are Czarina Dosayla, Brianna Ang, Luchi Vivero, Kara Sophia Feril, Mamielle Letran, YZ Montalbo, and Zelver Faith Banguiao.

Serving as head coach for the Thunderbolts team is Rommel Tabinas, with Judy Dador Rodriguez as his assistant coach and Jose Montalbo as the squad’s manager.

According to Jose Montalbo, the long travel from Bacolod City to Negros Oriental was all worth it for their squad, composed of Thunderbolts’ 15-under team, as they were able to keep in step with their experienced opponents.

“Malayo from Bacolod City ang venue, mga four hours ang travel, but our main purpose is to gain experience for our team and to promote grassroots program,” Montalbo said.

“We sent our 15-and-under team, and I am happy that they were able to win the championship despite facing teams that are 17-and-under,” he added.

For winning the championship, the Thunderbolts took home a cash prize of P10,000, while St. John’s Institute bagged the runner-up prize of P7,000, and Tanjay National High School with P5,000 for their bronze medal finish./ASC, WDJ