By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts are starting their title-retention bid in the 2024 Rebisco Volleyball League (RVL) National Finals in Mandaluyong City on Friday, November 22.

The Thunderbolts are bracketed in Pool A along with Notre Dame of Dadiangas University of General Santos City, Corpus Christi School of Cagayan de Oro, Sta. Cruz Academy of Lubao in Pampanga, and University of Batangas in Batangas City.

According to Thunderbolts middle blocker Brianna Ang, the team remained in tip-top shape for the competition as they were fresh from their championship in the NOPSSCEA high school girls volleyball tournament.

“Ang preparation namin is we just finished our NOPSSCEA Season, then we will turn our focus sa Rebisco,” Ang said in an interview with dwAN 1206 AM’s “Hardball.”

For her part, Ang’s teammate Dona Mae de Leon stated that the Thunderbolts are close to 100 percent of their championship form as they brace for tougher foes in the week-long event.

“If I am going to rate [our readiness for this competition], I would rate it eight out of 10,” De Leon said.

“Siguro ang challenges na ma-encounter namin is ‘yung from [National Capital Region]-based teams,” she added.

The Western Visayas representatives defeated Buenavista National High School, Colegio de la Purisima Concepcion and Northwestern Visayan Colleges to sweep their prequalifying group.

In the semifinals round, the Thunderbolts ousted the Central Philippine University Golden Lions before they defeated fellow Bacolod City-based team, the St. John’s Institute Baby Falcons, in the finals.

Ann Francesca Hermosura stood tallest for the Thunderbolts as she was named MVP and 2nd Best Middle Blocker, while Rhea Mae Tomas and Jan Rose Bulak as Best Libero and Best Setter, respectively.

The Thunderbolts of head coach Ian Macariola also occupied the Best Opposite Attacker and 1st Best Outside Hitter slots in Joenil Ann Ramos and Camila Amor Bartolome, respectively./ASC, WDJ