By ADRIAN STEWART CO
The Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts showcased their dominance in the 45th Negros Occidental Private School Sports Cultural Education Association (NOPSSCEA) secondary and elementary girls volleyball divisions at the University of St. La Salle Gymnasium in Bacolod City on Sunday, September 28.
The Thunderbolts secondary girls team retained their NOPSSCEA title following a 25-18, 25-18, 25-17 domination over St. John’s Institute in the finals.
Leading the way for the Thunderbolts are Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles-bound Brianna Nikola Ang, Rhose Viane Almendralejo, Alexa Bertolano, and Jan Rose Bulak.
Completing the team of head coach Ian Macariola are Zelver Faith Banguiao, Edz Karylle Escultura, Jhaennine Mayang, Memielle Letran, Kara Sophia Feril, Ana Ysabelle Hermosura, Luchi Vivero, Maria Shannen Bañas, and Danielle Anne Saloria.
“I can say that this group is the best Bacolod Tay Tung secondary girls volleyball team that we have assembled. We are complete in every position,” Thunderbolts team manager Jose Montalbo said.
Montalbo hopes that the Thunderbolts squad will continue to develop chemistry among themselves as he hopes to regain the Palarong Pambansa crown for Region 6.
Meanwhile, the Thunderbolts ruled the elementary girls division of the Negros Occidental qualifying competition after defeating the St. John’s Institute-Bacolod Falcons in the finals.
The Roberto Calamba Jr.-mentored Thunderbolts showcased a collective effort to claim their second consecutive elementary girls championship and move on to the District Meet.
Bannering the elementary girls Thunderbolts are Mhegan Ordaniel, Samantha Valenciano, Chloe Depalubos, Dubhe Medina, Janselle Peromingan, Xyriz Cañete, Andrea Lorainne Lim, Andrea Zedd Chua, Jeydi Panisales, Hadassah Abellar, Ada Asin, Ma. Sofia Miralles, Mikayla Gonzales, Jana Cadelina, and Cielo Palabrica.
“We really prepared well for this tournament because we really want to represent the region in Palarong Pambansa,” Calamba said in an interview with Watchmen Daily Journal./ASC, WDJ