BACOLOD City – Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts are set to represent Region 6 in the girls volleyball event of the National Invitational Sports Competition from May 25 to 27 in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.
Thunderbolts team manager Jose Montalbo confirmed their participation in the tournament that serves as a qualifier for the 2022 Asean School Games to be held this November also in Dumaguete City.
“We are honored to be invited to represent Western Visayas in this qualifier. Our players will definitely give their best to get that chance to represent the country in the ASEAN School Games,” Montalbo said.
He added: “We are also thankful to (Bacolod Tay Tung High School principal) Philip P. Carpina for giving his approval for these young athletes to showcase their talents and abilities there.”
Bannering the squad to be handled by head coach Ian Macariola are many-time Best Setter and Best Libero awardee Katherine Shaine Cortez and Gwen Toledo Bañas, respectively.
Also in the team are Thunderbolts who are also part of the national U-17 team in Ilongga Ana Hermosura, Dona Mae de Leon and Jothea Ramos and Philippine U-19 squad member Jihan Chuatico.
Completing the Western Visayas representatives are Alex Montoro, Ysabelle Chua, Amber Lily Biong, Antheia Galicia, Patricia Grace Hiponia and Alijah Ysulan.
“Since Bacolod City was placed under Alert Level 1 naman is tuloy-tuloy na ang practice ng team so the chemistry among themselves is no question,” said assistant coach Roberto Calamba Jr.
“But, of course, we are facing teams and schools from around the country so we know that this is not going to be a walk in park for us but we will give our very best,” he added.
The ASEAN School Games is making a return since the COVID-19 pandemic started with seven events namely volleyball, basketball, athletics, badminton, sepak takraw, table tennis and swimming./PN
