By ADRIAN STEWART CO

The Negros Island Region (NIR) will lean on the Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts as it campaigns in the girls volleyball events of the 2026 Palarong Pambansa scheduled next week in Agusan del Sur.

Fresh from a strong showing last year, the secondary girls squad hopes to go one step further after finishing runner-up in the previous edition of the national games while still representing Western Visayas.

Veteran mentor Roemel Taniñas will call the shots for the team composed of Brianna Ang, Rhose Almendralejo, Jan Rose Bulak, Alexa Bertolano, Jheanine Mayang, Cristina Gale, Zelver Banguiao, Danielle Saloria, Memielle Letran, Ana Hermosura, Luchi Vivero, Shannen Banas, and Juvie David.

With a seasoned lineup and championship experience, the Thunderbolts are expected to be among the contenders in the secondary division.

The region’s elementary girls team will likewise be bannered by Bacolod Tay Tung players under the guidance of coaches Biboy Calamba, Ma. Cent Trixy Navarro and Rhea Joy Tupas.

Representing NIR in the elementary division are Mhegan Ordaniel, Samantha Valenciano, Chloe Depalubos, Janselle Peromingan, Xyriz Cañete, Dubhe Medina, Jeydi Panisales, Andrea Lorainne Lim, Andrea Zedd Chua, Ainel Parba, Ylajah Laureign Maestrecampo, Ayanna Alexis Tiu, Cielo Palabrica, Micayla Gonzales, and Sofie Miralles.

The annual Palarong Pambansa brings together the nation’s top student-athletes and remains one of the country’s biggest platforms for discovering future volleyball stars./ASC, WDJ