MANILA – Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts are set to compete in the 2024 Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational, commencing today at the Adamson University Gym in Manila.
According to Thunderbolts team manager Jose Montalbo, they decided to participate in the tournament to polish the skills of their players against the Manila-based volleyball teams.
“Facing against the UAAP and NCAA juniors volleyball teams will be huge for the development of our team and our players so we accepted the challenge of playing here,” Montalbo said.
Montalbo added that they will be parading the same Negros Occidental secondary girls volleyball team that capture the championship in the just-concluded WVRAA Meet in Bacolod City.
“Playing in Shakey’s is also a great tune up for our players as we prepare for our Palarong Pambansa secondary girls volleyball title defense this July in Cebu City,” he said.
Leading the team are Rhose Vianne Almendralejo, Jothea Ramos, Ana Ysabelle Hermosura, Jan Rose Bulak, Camila Bartolome, Ana Franchessca Hermosura, Abigael Labajo, Dona Mae de Leon, Mary Antonette Bontia, Joenil Ramos, Brianna Ang, Rhea Tomas, and Czarina Dosayla.
Bacolod Tay Tung has been slotted in Pool C along with UAAP Season 85 juniors volleyball bronze medalist University of Santo Tomas Junior Golden Tigresses, Kings Montessori School, and University of Perpetual Help Junior Lady Altas.
The Thunderbolts, which finished with the bronze medal in the same competition last year, are set to open their campaign against the Junior Golden Tigresses at two in the afternoon.
The Ian Macariola-mentored Thunderbolts will return to action at 2 p.m. on May 30, against Kings Montessori School at the San Andres Gymnasium before wrapping up the group stage against the Junior Lady Altas at 4 p.m. on June 2.
“Every learning experience that the team and the players will gain from this tournament will be huge in the long run,” said Macariola. “We want the players to enjoy the experience and at the same time try to win each game.”/PN
