CEBU City – Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts captured the 18-Under and 15-Under titles in the 13th St. Ignatius Volleyball Cup on late Friday at the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu here.
The Thunderbolts captured the 18-Under tiara following a 25-13, 25-13 straight set victory over University of San Jose-Recoletos of Cebu in the championship match.
Jothea Ramos was hailed as the Most Valuable Player, Katherine Shaine Cortez as Best Setter, Amber Lily Biong as Best Libero, Alex Montoro as Best 1st Attacker, Ana Franchessca Hermosura as Best Attacker and Dona de Leon as Best Blocker.
Also part of the Thunderbolts 18-Under team were Gwen Bañas, Jihann Chuatico, Atheia Nishant Galicia, Alijah Ysulan, Patricia Grace Hiponia and Sophie Cagalawan.
The Thunderbolts 18-Under 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 Carmen.
The Thunderbolts also emerged as champions in the 15-Under category following a come-from-behind 24-26, 25-21, 25-14 victory over Corpus Christi of Cagayan de Oro in the finale.
National U-18 girls volleyball team mainstay Kimberly Chelmei Rubin was hailed as the MVP, while Camilla Amor Bartolome was Best 1st Attaker and Rhose Viane Almendralejo as Best 1st Middle Blocker.
Also part of the squad were Cheska Peñol, Mary Antonette Bontia, Jann Rose Bulak, Czarina Dosayla, Alexa Bertolano, Remiah Caitlin Espinosa, Lana Choloe Madrigal, Briana Ang, Ana Ysabelle Hermosura and Joenil Anne Ramos.
The triumph of the Ralph Savellano-mentored Thunderbolts 15-Under team came after they ruled the 1st VANI Developmental Volleyball League U-14 tournament last week in Silay City, Negros Occidental.
“I am happy that our teams were slowly settling down as we look forward to the possible resumption of Palarong Pambansa and Batang Pinoy if the COVID situation permits,” said team manager Jose Montalbo./PN
