PONTEVEDRA — Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts ruled the women’s division of the 1st VAMP 25-Under Invitational Volleyball League at the Barangay Recreo Court in Pontevedra, Negros Occidental.
The Thunderbolts clinched the women’s division title after beating University of St. La Salle-Bacolod in straight sets, 25-14, 25-13, 25-9, in the gold medal match.
The Thunderbolts leaned on the exploits of Alijah Ysulan, Antheia Galicia, Patricia Grace Hiponia, Ysabelle Chua and Amber Lily Biong to defeat the much experienced USLS on Sunday night.
“It was a total team effort. Everybody did their part,” said Thunderbolts coach Roberto Calamba Jr. We gave our other players the opportunity to play and they gladly delivered.”
“We are trying to rebuild the chemistry among these players because some of them have played for opposing teams in our previous competitions,” he added.
Also part of the Thunderbolts lineup were Katherine Shaine Cortez, Gwen Toledo Bañas, Ana Hermosura, Dona Mae de Leon, Jothea Ramos, Jihan Chuatico, and Sophie Cagalawan.
Prior to their sweep victory against USLS, the Thunderbolts won all of their four previous matches in the tournament organized by Volleyball Association of Municipality of Pontevedra.
Thunderbolts team manager Jose Montalbo said their participation in the two-day volleyfest was part of their build up for the National Invitational Sports Competition slated from May 25 to 27 in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.
“We participated here as part of our preparation in the National Invitational Sports Competition, which is a qualifier for the 2022 ASEAN School Games,” Montalbo said.
“This tournament is much-needed for us because their first time to play as a unit kasi most of the time ‘yung ibang players were playing for Chery Tiggo and ‘yung iba is sa national U-17 team,” he added./PN
