BACOLOD City – Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts swept the open and 16-under women’s titles in the MassKara 2022-1st Mayor Albee Benitez Volleyball Cup on Sunday night at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum here.
The Thunderbolts captured the Women’s Open category championship via a 25-10, 25-18, 25-23 straight set victory over Burgas Angels in a lopsided championship match.
Katherine Shaine Cortez once again carried the Thunderbolts with her solid playmaking followed by connections by Jothea Ramos, Alex Montoro and Ana Hermosura and the defense of libero Gwen Banas.
Also forming part of the Thunderbolts squad were Jihan Chuatico, Alijah Ysulan, Amber Biong, Kimberly Rubin, Lana Madrigal, Dona De Leon, Patricia Hiponia, Sophie Cagalawan and Antheia Galicia.
The Thunderbolts team of head coach Ian Macariola and assistant coach Roberto Calamba Jr. finished undefeated in the preliminaries before punching their way to finals with a semifinals win over Smash.
The Thunderbolts also emerged as champions in the 16-Under category following a come-from-behind 19-25, 25-19, 25-27, 25-18, 15-11 victory over St. John’s Intitute-Bacolod.
National U-18 girls volleyball team member Camila Amor Bartolome anchored the offense for the 16-Under Thunderbolts with the support from Rhose Viane Almendralejo and Alexa Bertolano.
Also part of the squad were Cheska Peñol, Mary Antonette Bontia, Jan Rose Bulak, Czarina Dosayla, Remiah Caitlin Espinosa, Brianna Nikola Ang, Ana Ysabelle Hermosura, Joenil Anne Ramos, Elphie Cahilig, Edz Escultura and Jamyl Montalbo.
The triumph of the Ralph Savellano-mentored Thunderbolts 16-Under team came after they ruled the 1st VANI Developmental Volleyball League U-14 tournament in Silay City, Negros Occidental and St. Ignatius Cup in Cebu.
In the men’s open category, Tarag Bacolod prevailed over D’Navigators squad, while 1 Silay Sports pulled off a tight five-setter victory over Himamaylan to capture the 16-Under Boys title./PN
