By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts stamped their class in the Rebisco Volleyball League (RVL) Western Visayas Regional Finals, sweeping all its assignments to capture the championship in Iloilo province’s Passi City.

Alas Pilipinas youth standout Rhose Almendralejo powered the Thunderbolts’ title run and was rewarded with the tournament’s Most Valuable Player plum along with the 1st Best Outside Hitter citation.

Tay Tung also dominated the individual awards: Brianna Nikola Ang was named 1st Best Middle Blocker, Alexa Bertolano earned Best Opposite Spiker honors, Jan Rose Bulak took home Best Setter, while Luchi Vivero secured the Best Libero award.

The Bacolod-based squad cruised through the eliminations with victories over Barotac Viejo National High School, Palanguia National High School and Capiz’s Pontevedra Christian School Inc.

They advanced to the finals after beating Santa Clarita International School in the semifinals, then sealed the crown with a decisive win against St. John’s Institute – Bacolod.

Rounding out the Thunderbolts roster were Jhanine Mayang, Zelver Banguaio, Abigail Labajo, Ana Ysabelle Hermosura, Memielle Letran, Daniela Saloria, and Shannen Bañas.

The team was handled by coaches Romel Taniñas and Abraham Cadeliña, with Jose Montalbo as team manager.

St. John’s Institute players Caera Celis and Marithana Echarri were also honored as 2nd Best Outside Hitter and 2nd Best Middle Blocker, respectively.

Santa Clarita International School settled for third place after defeating Palanguia National High School in the bronze medal match./ASC, WDJ