By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Negros Occidental elementary girls volleyball team, represented by the Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts, settled for a runner-up finish in the 2025 WVRAA Meet at the Sibalom Gym in San Jose, Antique yesterday.

The Roberto Calamba, Jr.-mentored Thunderbolts dropped a close 13-25, 25-16, 25-23 defeat to Iloilo, represented by La Paz National High School, in the final round.

However, Calamba said in an interview with Watchmen Daily Journal that there were some questionable calls by the referees, especially in the third set, which affected the game.

“I think there are some calls that could have gone either way. I am planning to seek a clarification with the technical committee,” Calamba said.

“It is unfair to the efforts of the players that their dreams of reaching Palarong Pambansa are dashed by bad officiating,” she added.

Meanwhile, the Negros Occidental elementary boys volleyball team, represented by Murcia, earned their slot to Palarong Pambansa after a 21-25, 25-21, 25-18, victory over Iloilo in the finals.

In athletics, Negros Occidental’s Divine Pablito captured a gold medal in the secondary girls shot put before settling for a silver medal in the discus throw behind fellow Negrense Marianne Faith Pedales.

Meanwhile, Negrense Nico Villaran emerged on top in the secondary boys 110-meter hurdles, while Angel Jaron also had a gold medal finish in the elementary girls long jump.

In arnis, Negros Occidental got three arnis gold medals from Renalyn Cornel, Johnmae Micoyco and Janeth Gasapo in the secondary girls team likha anyo single and double weapons, and from Chrishell Duran, Cathylea de Emos and Franzen Aguillon in the elementary team double weapon.

In gymnastics, Negrenses Harmony Garbanzos (elementary girls individual all-around and ball), and Matthea Given Efenio (secondary girls ribbon and individual all around) bagged two golds each./ASC, WDJ