MANILA – Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts pulled off a stunner against Nazareth School of National University Lady Bullpups, 25-14, 25-22, 25-15, to capture the 2023 Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational bronze on Saturday at San Andres Gym.
Dona Mae de Leon was hailed as the MVP of the Match with 13 points, on 11 attacks and two blocks, while Jothea Ramos contributed 11 markers for the Bacolod City-based volleybelles.
Jihan Chuatico ended with seven markers, Alexia Montoro and Ilongga Ana Hermosura chipped in with six markers each, while Ateneo de Manila University Blue Eagles-bound Katherine Shaine Cortez finished with four points.
“Happy ako personally to be able to contribute sa team,” said the Best Middle Blocker awardee De Leon. “It was a huge win against NU, nagtiwala lang kami sa isa’t isa, ‘yung chemistry and siyempre hindi kami bumibitaw.”
The Thunderbolts went to work early in the opening set as they created a quick separation from the Lady Bullpups behind De Leon’s five points and combined six points from Ramos and Chuatico.
The Lady Bullpups kept the match close in the second set as they turned a four-point deficit to a 21-22 score behind consecutive points from Kiana Olango but the Thunderbolts got timely hits from De Leon and Chuatico to finish the set.
The Thunderbolts went for the kill in the third frame with Ramos unloading consecutive points for a 15-5 start. The Lady Bullpups managed to cut it to 13-19 but connections from Ramos and De Leon clinched the win for the Thunderbolts.
Thunderbolts head coach Ian Macariola said he was delighted that his squad was able to bounce back with a dominant win following their semifinals defeat to Naga College Foundation last week.
“Malaking bagay na ‘yung bronze na maiuuwi namin sa Bacolod,” said Macariola. “Character and attitude, ‘yun ang nag-change sa amin. ‘Yung skills andon na, given na yun. Inayos namin yung character namin for this game.”
Olango was the lone double-digit scorer for the UAAP Season 85 girls volleyball champions Lady Bullpups with 16 points, while Bacolodnon Celine Marsh and Yesha Noceja added nine and eight, respectively./PN
