Western Visayas recovered from a fifth-set deficit to score an 18-25, 25-20, 19-25, 25-16, 18-16 stunner against the National Capital Region in the 2023 Palarong Pambansa secondary girls’ volleyball finals on Friday afternoon at the Marikina Sports Center in Marikina City.
But the Bacolod Tay Tung High School Thunderbolts-represented WV slowly clawed its way back to tie the score at 14-all and lastly at 16-all before pulling off two crucial points to clinch the gold medal.
The Ian Macariola-mentored WV crew was led by Jihan Chuatico, graduating setter Katherine Shaine Cortez, Ana Hermosura, Alex Montoro, Dona Mae de Leon, and Jothea Ramos.
Also part of the Region 6 squad are Mary Antonette Bontia, Joenil Ramos, Rhose Vianne Almendralejo, Jihan Chuatico, Alijah Ysulan, Patricia Hiponia, and Camila Amor Bartolome.
The dethroned champions, NCR, meanwhile, were represented by the UAAP Season 85 girls volleyball champions, Nazareth School of National University Lady Bullpups.
Earlier in the day, the Western Visayas, also represented by Bacolod Tay Tung High School, captured the elementary girls division crown with a 25-18, 25-16 straight set win over the CARAGA team.
Arianne Alayon was named the Player of the Game as she led the Roberto Calamba Jr.-mentored elementary girls team with 12 points, including six service aces.
