BACOLOD City – Bacolod Tay Tung High School cemented its reputation as the powerhouse of girls’ volleyball in Negros Occidental after sweeping both the elementary and secondary crowns in the 45th Negros Occidental Private School Sports Cultural Education Association (NOPSSCEA) tournament.
The Roberto Calamba Jr.-mentored Thunderbolts snatched their second straight elementary girls’ championship with a decisive victory over the St. John’s Institute-Bacolod Falcons in the finals Sunday at the University of St. La Salle Gymnasium.
“We really prepared well for this tournament because we really want to represent the region against in Palarong Pambansa,” Calamba told Panay News.
Bannering the elementary team are Mhegan Ordaniel, Samantha Valenciano, Chloe Depalubos, Dubhe Medina, Janselle Peromingan, Xyriz Cañete, Andrea Lorainne Lim, Andrea Zedd Chua, Jeydi Panisales, Hadassah Abellar, Ada Asin, Ma. Sofia Miralles, Mikayla Gonzales, Jana Cadelina, and Cielo Palabrica.
In the secondary division, the Thunderbolts continued their dominance with a straight-sets rout of St. John’s Institute, 25-18, 25-18, 25-17, to retain their NOPSSCEA title.
The squad is bannered by Ateneo Blue Eagles-bound standout Brianna Nikola Ang, along with Rhose Viane Almendralejo, Alexa Bertolano, and Jan Rose Bulak, under the guidance of head coach Ian Macariola.
Also completing the lineup are Zelver Faith Banguiao, Edz Karylle Escultura, Jhaennine Mayang, Memielle Letran, Kara Sophia Feril, Ana Ysabelle Hermosura, Luchi Vivero, Maria Shannen Bañas, and Danielle Anne Saloria.
“I can say that this group is the best Bacolod Tay Tung secondary girls volleyball team that we have assembled. We are complete in every position,” Thunderbolts team manager Jose Montalbo said.
Montalbo added that he expects the team’s depth and chemistry to drive their bid to reclaim the Palarong Pambansa crown for Western Visayas./PN
