Western Visayas repulsed three-time champion National Capital Region in a marathon 18-25, 25-20, 19-25, 25-16, 18-16 victory to claim the secondary girls volleyball title at the 2023 Palarong Pambansa.
Jothea Ramos capped the near improbable comeback with an attack off a block and an ace that completed the turnaround in the final set to the delight of a sellout crowd Friday at the Marikina Sports Complex.
Dona Mae de Leon led the recovery of the Bacolod Tay Tung High School-powered Region 6 with 21 points, highlighted by 14, plus four blocks and three aces to prevent NCR, which was represented by National University, from extending their reign.
Tay Tung’s victory likewise frustrated the NSNU-backed Metro Manila bets in a repeat bid to seize the plum after winning it in 2019 Davao City.
Tay Tung actually found itself falling in a deep 0-6 ravine in the fifth and deciding set with Robielle Silla and Yesha Noceja generating NSNU’s fluid offense.
Bienne Bansil made it 10-6 for NSNU with a devastating hit before Western Visayas regrouped and rallied with six consecutive points to grab a 12-10 advantage.
Rhose Almendralejo sent Western Visayas closer to the title with an off-the-block kill, 14-10, but NCR managed to knot the count through the heroics of Celine Marsh, whose push and ace forced the extension.
Ramos then stepped into the fray followed a brief exchange of hits with the pair of title-clinching points. She was eventually named Most Valuable Player of the tournament and Best Opposite Hitter.
NSNU’s Kianne Olango was adjudged Best Server, NCR’s Bienne Bansil and Tay Tung’s Jihan Chuatico were the Best Middle Blockers while Alijah Ysulan of Western Visayas claimed the Best Libero award.
In the secondary boys finals, Central Luzon likewise wore down Central Visayas in a five-set 25-21, 23-25, 25-19, 17-25, 15-12 thriller.