MANILA – Foton-Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts settled for a runner-up finish in the 10th St. Ignatius Invitational Volleyball Cup at the Lux Oriens Gym of the Sacred Heart School – Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) in Canduman, Mandaue City.
The Thunderbolts fell short of a Cinderella run in the two-day tournament after being defeated by University of San Jose-Recoletos on Sunday.
Prior to that, the Thunderbolts completed the elimination round sweep with a 24-26, 25-14, 15-7 win over University of San Carlos-A before ousting fellow Negrense team Trinity Christian School in the semifinals, 25-17, 25-20.
Among the Thunderbolts players in the competition were 1st Best Middle Blocker Aurea Alvero, Best Setter Katherine Shaine Cortez, Gwen Banas, Sophie Cagalawan, Jermaine Joniega, Nicolei Galvan, and Julianne Monares. Also part of the team of head coach Ian Macariola and Roberto Calamba Jr. were Alijah Ysulan, Kathleen Kate Tan, Charlene Tayapad, Sanda Sta. Rita, Jothea Ramos, and Anthea Galicia.
Thunderbolts team manager Jose Montalbo lauded the players for reaching all the way to the championship round despite facing tough opponents along the way.
“It was still a good run for the team. We opted to send our younger players for them to gain experience facing tougher opponents,” Montalbo said. “In fact we have already overachieved by the mere fact of finishing runner-up.”/PN
