BACOLOD City – Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts’ aspirants team finished second runner up in the Women’s Category of the Don Salvador Benedicto 2nd Invitational Open Category League in Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental.
The Thunderbolts, composed mostly of players aged 12 to 14 years old, salvaged a bronze medal finish in the competition after a 25-18, 13-25, 25-13 win over Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod college team.
Ana Ysabelle Hermosura stood up for the Ralph Savellano-mentored Thunderbolts’ aspirants team as she was hailed as the Best Setter at the close of the three-day tournament.
Also part of the Thunderbolts squad are Jam Montalbo, Adriana Escultura, Alexa Bertolano, Caitlin Espinosa, Shannen Bañas, Athena Magbanua, Kara Feril and Xabrej Española.
Thunderbolts team manager Jose Montalbo said he is proud of the performance of the school’s aspirants team as their opponents are mostly college or already graduated volleybelles.
“I can consider this as an achievement for them because our opponents here in DSB tournament are, if not college-based teams eh ‘yung mga graduated players na,” Montalbo said.
“As members of the Bacolod Tay Tung aspirants team, I want them to enjoy the moment and for them to continue improving so that when the time comes, we can elevate them to the juniors team,” he added.
Montalbo also said that it was the last time that Savellano is handling the Thunderbolts aspirants team after the latter tendered his resignation after the tournament to pursue his masteral degree.
Team Stephen L. Borgas squad emerged as the champions in the women’s open category after defeating Team Murcia in the tightly-contested championship game.
In the men’s open category, meanwhile, Team Tarag Lolek bagged the championship as they prevailed over Team Loyal in the finals./PN
