By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts ruled the secondary and elementary girls division of the 44th Negros Occidental Private School Sports Cultural Educational Association (NOPSSCEA).

The secondary girls Thunderbolts retained their championship after a 25-18, 21-25, 25-20, 25-16 domination over St. John’s Institute in the finals at the University of St. La Salle Gymnasium in Bacolod City.

Leading the way for the Thunderbolts are graduating players Camila Amor Bartolome, Joenil Anne Ramos and Rhea Mae Tomas, as well as veterans Rhose Viane Almendralejo, Czarina Marcella Dosayla and Jan Rose Bulak.

Completing the team of head coach Ian Macariola are Alexa Bertolano, Brianna Nikola Ang, Edz Karylle Escultura, Ana Ysabelle Hermosura, Abigael Jirah Labajo, and Caitlyn Espinosa.

“I can say that this group is the best Bacolod Tay Tung secondary girls volleyball team that we have assembled,” Thunderbolts team manager Jose Montalbo said.

“We are complete in every position,” he added.

Montalbo said the Thunderbolts squad will continue to develop chemistry among themselves as he hopes to possibly retain the Palarong Pambansa crown for Region 6.

Meanwhile, the Thunderbolts also reclaimed the elementary girls division title after defeating Trinity Christian School in the finals and earning their way back to the district meet.

Bannering the elementary girls Thunderbolts are Mari Cacho, Chinnie Millama, Samantha Valenciano, Mhegan Ordaniel, Chloe Depalubos, Jeydi Panisales, Maxiane Busel, Jana Cadelina, Loraine Lim, and Cielo Palabrica.

“Nakabawi kami,” Calamba said, referring to their finals’ loss to St. John’s Institute last year.

“We really prepared well for this tournament because we want to get back this title,” he added./ASC, WDJ