BACOLOD City – The Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts once again proved their dominance in the local volleyball scene after clinching the championship title and sweeping multiple individual awards at the 2025 MassKara Cup Volleyball Tournament held over the weekend at the Montalbo Court here.
The powerhouse squad outplayed the University of St. La Salle-Bacolod (USLS) Lady Stingers in the one-game finals to capture the women’s division crown—cementing their reputation as the city’s premier volleyball team.
Leading the Thunderbolts’ charge was Miemelle Letran, who delivered stellar performances throughout the tournament to bag both the Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Best Open Hitter honors.
Head coach Roemel Taninas was also named Best Coach, as his squad dominated both ends of the court despite fielding a shorthanded lineup.
“Our players showed heart and discipline all throughout. Even with limited rotation, they played with purpose,” said Taninas after the victory.
The Thunderbolts also swept several other individual citations: Brianna Nikola Ang and Zelver Banguia were named 1st and 2nd Best Middle Blockers, respectively, with Banguia also earning the Best Server award. Luchi Vivero took Best Libero, while Jan Rose Bulak was adjudged Best Setter.
USLS’s Luria Yap earned the 2nd Best Open Hitter award, while Marteena Ferrer of St. John’s Institute-Bacolod Lady Falcons** took Best Opposite Hitter.
Also part of the champion Thunderbolts squad managed by Jose Montalbo were Shannen Bañas, Janine Mayang, Kara Feril, Ana Ysabelle Hermosura, and Danny Saloria.
Key players Rhose Viane Almendralejo and Alexa Bertolano missed the tournament—Almendralejo due to national team training and Bertolano due to injury—but the team’s depth proved decisive as they swept the preliminary round and routed their semifinal opponent en route to the title match.
The indoor volleyball tilt formed part of the 2025 MassKara Festival sports calendar, showcasing Bacolod’s growing reputation as a hub for grassroots and elite-level volleyball development./PN
