By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts clinched the crown in the 3rd Mayor Albee Benitez Indoor Volleyball Cup Women’s Open category held recently at the Montalbo Court in Bacolod City.
The Thunderbolts captured the category championship following a 25-15, 21-25, 25-10, 25-18 victory over St. John’s Institute-Bacolod Falcons in the one-game finals match.
Joenil Anne Ramos, who is set to play for the College of St. Benilde Lady Blazers, stepped up for the Thunderbolts to be named tournament’s Most Valuable Player and Best Opposite Hitter.
Meanwhile, Rhose Viane Almendralejo was awarded the Best 1st Outside Hitter, Camila Amor Bartolome as Best 2nd Middle Blocker, and Rhea Mae Tomas as the Best Libero.
Also forming part of the Thunderbolts squad are Czarina Marcella Dosayla, Alexa Bertolano, Brianna Nikola Ang, Edz Karylle Escultura, Jan Rose Bulak, Ana Ysabelle Hermosura, Abigael Jirah Labajo, Danielle Anne Saloria, and Caitlyn Espinosa.
The Thunderbolts team of head coach Ian Macariola and team manager Jose Montalbo emerged on top in the preliminaries round before dominating their semifinals opponent to reach the finals.
On the part of St. John’s Institute, Caera Celis was named 2nd Best Outside Hitter, Marthena Echarri as 1st Best Middle Blocker, and Leeyan Lobaton as Best Setter.
University of St. La Salle’s Nicolei Galvan bagged the Best Server award.
The three-day indoor volleyball tournament is just one of the several sporting events that the city is hosting in line with the 45th MassKara Festival celebration later this month./ASC, WDJ