ILOILO City – Chery Tiggo Thunderbolts continued its volleyball mastery in Western Visayas after ruling the Gametime National 20-Under Women’s Volleyball League last night in Maasin, Iloilo.
The Bacolod City-based Thunderbolts leaned on its wide experience to topple sister-team Toby’s Sports-Bacolod in straight sets, 25-15, 25-17, 25-12, in the gold medal match.
Katherine Shaine Cortez stood tall for the Bacolod Tay Tung High School-composed Thunderbolts. She was hailed as the Most Valuable Player and Best Setter.
Also receiving citations from the Roberto Calamba-mentored Thunderbolts side were Alex Montoro as Best Opposite Spiker and Gwen Toledo Bañas as Best Libero.
The Toby’s Sports-Bacolod, meanwhile, did not went home empty handed as Dona Mae de Leon was named as Best Middle Blocker and Ilongga Ana Hermosura as Best Server.
It was the third straight title for the Thunderbolts after ruling the Bacolod Negros Legends one-day league and 2022 Mayor JPT New Normal Volleyball Invitational recently.
“I am delighted with this championship, the players worked hard for this,” Calamba told Panay News. “I just hope that the players will continue to work hard as we look to improve each game and tournament.”
Also part of the Thunderbolts were Annikha Cabasac, Jan Ysabelle Chua, Amber Biong, Cheska Peñol, Patricia Grace Hiponia, Alexa Bertolano, Aurea Alvero, Alijah Ysulan, Elphie Cahilig, Antheia Galicia, and Jermaine Joniega.
The Thunderbolts reached the championship round after beating Kings Montessori School of National Capital Region via straight sets in the semis, 25-17, 25-15, 25-22.
The national U-17 girls volleyball team composed Toby’s Sports, on the other hand, prevailed over Mindanao’s St. Alexius College in the other Final Four match, 27-25, 25-23, 21-25, 25-21.
Meanwhile, the Kings Montessori School salvaged a bronze medal finish in the tournament after defeating St. Alexius College in four sets in the battle-for-third place game./PN
