LA CARLOTA City – Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts’ aspirants volleyball team captured the crown in the 18-and-under category of 41st Pasalamat Festival Age Group Volleyball Tournament on Wednesday in La Carlota City, Negros Occidental.
The Thunderbolts’ aspirants team clinched the championship in the three-day tournament after beating La Carlota City selection in the gold medal match in straight sets, 25-16, 28-26.
Czarina Marcella Dosayla was hailed as the Most Valuable Player in the competition, while Jan Rose Bulak was named as Best Setter and Alexa Bertolano as Best Outside Hitter.
During the eliminations round, the Thunderbolts’ aspirants team prevailed over Living Stones International School and Binalbagan before suffering their lone defeat to La Carlota City selection.
The Thunderbolts’ aspirants team bounced back in the finals as they took a lopsided 25-16 victory in the first set before being pushed to the limit by La Carlota City in the second set.
Also part of the Ralph Savellano-mentored squad were Brianna Nikola Ang, Shannen Banas, Vianna Estrella, Ana Hermosura, Antheia Galicia, Elphie Cahilig, Janiyah Lagulao, Kara Feril, Caltin Espinosa, Edz Escultura and Jamyl Montalbo.
“It was a good performance by our aspirants team,” said team manager Jose Montalbo. ‘They showed how to bounce back from a defeat, against the team that has beaten us in the eliminations.”
“This shows that these players have what it takes to be elevated to our seniors team,” he added. “Most of our players were 13 to 15 years old and yet they were able to win in an 18-and-under tournament.”
Meanwhile, La Carlota City selection has emerged as champions in the 15-and-under category with Kimberly Chelmel Rubin being named as the MVP and Rianne Montesa II as Best Opposite Hitter.
Other Negros Occidental-based teams that send their participation in the three-day age group tournament were Ma-ao Elementary, Alpha Ma-ao, LCC Lady Titans and San Miguel Kalye./PN
