LIVING Stones International School survived a furious run by Bacolod Tay Tung High School to score 25-14, 25-17, 21-25, 29-31, 15-13 in the NOVA U-16 Girls Volleyball Championship in Silay City, Negros Occidental.
Led by tournament MVP Krisha Cordero and Cassie Carballo, Living Stones had a strong start in the first two sets on Sunday to build an early 7-point edge, which grew further with Thunderbolts struggling on the offense.
But Thunderbolts did not go silent into the night as it eked out close victories in the third and fourth frames behind Aurea Alvero, Nicolie Galvan and KC Cortez to force a fifth set.
In the deciding set, the teams had a tight exchange with Cordero and Carballo at the forefront for Living Stones and Thunderbolts banking on Alvero. In the end, Living Stones got the breaks to clinch the win.
“It was a total team effort for us,” said Living Stones head coach Michael Larroza. “As expected, we knew that Tay Tung will give their all despite their depleted lineup. Good thing our players stepped up just in time.”
Also part of the Living Stones squad are Love Joy Mejorado, Aya Bya Garovillo, Ashley Rapiz, Christine Umbao, Brianna Titular, Alexa Teruel, Elysia Tesla Caingcoy, Krisha Nicole Ditching, Charlee Gonzales, and Leslie Gonzales.
Thunderbolts managed to put up a huge fight even without Alyssa Bertolano, Rhean Almendralejo and Kiesha Bedonia, who were bound for Palarong Pambansa, and Annikha Cabasac, who was still on vacation.
“I’m content with the performance of the girls. Even if we were undermanned, we still gave Living Stones a good fight in the finals,” said Thunderbolts assistant coach Biboy Calamba./PN
