AFTER stunning Far Eastern University in the opener, Bacolod Tay Tung High School continued their dominance in Pool B of the Rebisco Girls Volleyball Season 15 National League of Champions with another huge game against University of San Jose-Recoletos of Cebu in two straight sets at the Sta. Rosa City Multi-Purpose Complex in Laguna.
The Bacolod-based volleybelles played on even turf against their Cebuana counterparts in the early part of the game, 4-3, but eventually gained momentum and surged to a comfortable six-point lead.
With the Thunderbolts earning the confidence, they controlled the game flow onwards and sealed the opening set on Joan Marie Monares’ attack, 25-17.
In the second set, it was a seesaw game for both squads, until USJ-R successfully scored an attack at the Tay Tung’s central defense for an 18-17 lead, forcing Thunderbolt coach Evelyn Aguillon to call a timeout.
Off the breather, Tay Tung scored on USJR’s service error to tie the game anew 18-all, but the Cebu-based team took back the lead with two straight points for a 20-18 edge.
On the play, Joan Doguna hit an open attack from the right, though was blocked by USJ-R, but went out. Then Monares connected another quick play to equalize the scoreboard, 20-all as Doguna scored back-to-back service aces to extend Thunderbolts’ lead, 22-20.
Danielle Marie Malazarte made a strong hit at the middle court to cut the lead, 22-21, but another perfect shot from Monares restored Tay Tung’s lead, 23-21.
With momentum on Tay Tung’s side, captain Shane Carmona hit a solid shot that passed the USJ-R blockers, but her attempt went out, giving the Cebu volleybelles the chance to put the game closer, 23-22.
Malazarte committed a service error to keep Tay Tung on top, 24-22.
USJ-R had the chance to extend the game with Shiela Mae Kiseu’s shot checked by Tay Tung to stay alive, 24-23.
Alyssa Bertolano hit a strong attack from the left, was blocked, but it went out as the Thunderbolts sealed their second win in the tournament.
On Wednesday, Tay Tung met the home-squad of Holy Rosary College-Sta. Rosa.
