BACOLOD City – Team Bacolod City-Thunderbolts emerged as champions in the women’s category of the 1st Mayor Mac & Tata James Inter-Cities / Municipalities Invitational Volleyball Tournament on Saturday.
Led by tournament MVP Katherine Shaine Cortez, the Team Bacolod City overcame a first set mishap to defeat sister team JGM-Bacolod Thunderbolts in the women’s division finale at Don San Benedicto Municipal Covered Court in Negros Occidental.
It was a complete domination for the Ian Macariola and Roberto Calamba Jr.-mentored Team Bacolod City squad as they finished the month-long competition without a single defeat.
“We faced several tough opponents here but our players have brought in their best game each day,” Calamba said. “They really worked hard for this so they deserved this championship.”
Also in the squad were Gwen Banas, Amber Lily Biong, Alex Montoro, Jihann Chuatico, Dona Mae de Leon, Antheia Nishart Galicia, Ana Franchessca Hermosura, Alijah Ysulan, Jothea Ramos and Patricia Grace Hiponia.
The JGM-Bacolod, on the other hand, was bannered by national U-18 women’s volleyball team members Kimberly Chelmei Rubin, Jann Rose Bulak, Lana Choloe Madrigal, Rhose Viane Almendralejo, Camila Amor Bartolome and Joenil Anne Ramos.
Completing the JGM-Bacolod squad of Ralph Savellano were Cheska Penol, Mary Antonette Bontia, Czarina Dosayla, Alexa Bertolano, Remiah Caitlin Espinosa and Brianna Ang.
Meanwhile, Team Tarag/Lolek Bacolod Thunderbolts took home the championship in the men’s division as they defeated Silay City in the tightly-contested one-game championship match.
Louie Pudadera, a standout of University of St. La Salle-Bacolod, was named as the men’s division’s Most Valuable Player after carrying the scoring cudgels for his team in the tournament.
“Team Tarag also showed promise throughout the entire competition. Kudos to coach Ralph for steering this squad to championship,” said Jose Montalbo, who was the team manager of the Team Bacolod City and JGM-Bacolod in women’s and Team Tarag in men’s./PN
