BACOLOD City – Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts’ star Alyssa Bertolano drew numerous Manila-based schools’ attention, but she opted to choose University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons.
The Talisay City, Negros Occidental-native Bertolano said it was not hard for her to choose UP’s women’s volleyball team due to her familiarity with head coach Godfrey Okumu.
“Coach Okumu has been talking to me since two years ago about going to UP. There were other schools reaching out, but my heart belongs to UP,” Bertolano told Panay News on Wednesday.
Bertolano was a decorated volleybelle having worn the Thunderbolts and Region 6 colors in tournaments such as Palarong Pambansa, National Private Schools Athletic Association, Akari National Finals, and Rebisco Volleyball League National Finals.
For Okumu, he was like a suitor who got yes from the one he is pursuing after going to and from Bacolod City several times the past few years just to check on the development of Bertolano.
“We have been interested in Alyssa since I first saw her play in 2018,” Okumu said. “One thing I like about Alyssa is her fighting spirit and also the leadership she showed while with Bacolod Tay Tung High School.”
“Her winning attitude in competing with Bacolod Tay Tung in various tournaments around the country will be an added plus for the Fighting Maroons,” added by the Kenyan volleyball mentor.
Thunderbolts team manager Jose Montalbo lauded his prized player’s decision to commit to UP where she will join former Tay Tung teammates Marianne Sotomil, Jeanny Padilla, and Joan Marie Monares.
“I am certain that Alyssa will be comfortable with UP since she has former Bacolod Tay Tung teammates there. I am just happy with coach Okumu’s trust in Bacolod Tay Tung’s volleyball program,” Montalbo said./PN
