By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts claimed the championship in the Tawo-Tawo Festival Invitational Women’s Volleyball Tournament held recently in Negros Oriental’s Bayawan City.

The Ian Macariola-mentored Thunderbolts bucked a tough challenge from the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) selection squad to score a 25-17, 25-19, 25-20 straight set win in the finals.

Rhose Vianne Almendralejo spearheaded the attack for the Thunderbolts to be named as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player and Best Outside Hitter.

Jan Rose Bulak was named as Best Server.

Also part of the Thunderbolts squad are Camila Amor Bartolome, Dona Mae de Leon, Brianna Ang, Rhea Tomas, Ana Francessca Hermosura, Joenil Anne Ramos, and Alexa Bertolano.

Completing the Thunderbolts team are Czarina Dosayla, Ana Ysabelle Hermosura, Abigael Labajo, Caitlyn Espinosa, and Edz Karylle Escultura.

Serving as team manager is Jose Montalbo.

“Facing a team that is older than them is a good test for us as we prepare for the WVRAA Meet, and for a chance to represent Western Visayas in Palarong Pambansa,” Montalbo said.

“We just want to continue competing and improving in every tournament that we play in,” he added.

“Any competition is an opportunity for the players to get better with their skills,” he added.

Meanwhile, USJ-R’s Julienne Gadingan, Dawn Tamayo and Dianne Duazo were named Best Middle Blocker, Best Opposite Hitter and Best Libero, respectively./ASC, WDJ