Bacolod Tay Tung High School claimed the next biggest prize with flying colors, trashing powerhouse National University Nazareth School via a 25-14, 25-22, 25-15 sweep to clinch the bronze medal in the 2023 Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League (GVIL) on Saturday at the San Andres Gym in Manila.
Licking the wounds of their semifinal defeat against Naga College Foundation, Tay Tung bounced back big time by dominating the UAAP girls’ champion in straight sets to finish on the podium of the 16-team tournament backed by Shakey’s Pizza Parlor, Potato Corner, Peri-Peri, and R&B Tea, with the City of Manila as a government cooperation partner.
Dona Mae De Leon showed the way with 13 points on 11 hits and two blocks, Jothea Ramos chipped in 11 points, while Alexia Montoro and Ana Hermosura fired six apiece in Bacolod’s statement win.
“Malaking bagay na ito. Malaking bagay na ‘yung bronze na maiuuwi namin sa Bacolod,” said coach Ian Macariola, whose wards took the fight out of the Lady Bullpups right off the bat with a masterful 25-14 win.
Bacolod swept its group in the elimination play but fell prey to the resilient Naga side in the Final Four, 25-11, 23-25, 23-25, 23-25. This time, there was no denying the Bacolod spikers, even against the mighty NU-NS.
After a fiery start, Bacolod only needed to weather the Lady Bullpups’ resistance in the second frame before going for the kill in the third, 25-15, for a graceful exit in the tournament, also powered by Mikasa, Team Rebel Sports, Toby’s Sports, Genius Sports, SM Tickets, and Summit Natural Drinking Water.
“Character and attitude, yun ang nag-change sa amin. ‘Yung skills andon na, given na yun. Inayos namin yung character namin for this game,” added Macariola.
Kianne Olango (16 points) was the lone bright spot for NU-NS, which absorbed its second straight loss at the worst possible time, missing out on a podium finish after bowing to California Academy in the other semifinal pairing, 25-23, 23-25, 22-25, 25-27.
California and Naga were still clashing as of press time for the first title of the Shakey’s GVIL.
Meanwhile, in the classification matches, Adamson secured the fifth spot as FEU-Diliman captured the seventh place after contrasting wins against University of Santo Tomas and La Salle Lipa, respectively.
