NIR WVT bets gear up early for Palarong Pambansa 2026, eye return to finals 

The Bacolod Tay Tung National High School (BTTHS) women’s volleyball team of the Negros Island Region (NIR) is aiming for a return to the finals in the Palarong Pambansa 2026 in Agusan del Sur as it banks on early preparations and extended tune-up games to sharpen its build-up, May 22.

In an interview with a radio reporter in Bacolod, team captain Rose Almendralejo on Tuesday said the squad is “prepared” and will leave as early as Wednesday for Cagayan De Oro, where they will conduct tune-up matches before proceeding to the national competition.

“So far, prepare[d] na kami. Since mag-go na kami tomorrow, magpa-Cagayan [De Oro] kami, mangita kami to tune-up para preparation pa gid namon going to Palaro,” Almendralejo said.

The team is set to arrive in Agusan del Sur one week before the competition to adjust to playing conditions, including court environment and weather.

“Early kami, one week before ara na kami to,” she said, citing the need to familiarize themselves with the venue, including court conditions and wind.

Almendralejo said the squad will play around four to five tune-up games, mostly against college teams, as part of its buildup.

“Maybe mga four to five nga tune-up games, against college,” she said.

Training sessions will continue under their coach to reinforce team routines and system familiarity.

Almendralejo also pointed to the team’s recent campaign in the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League (SGVIL) Rising Stars Cup as a key factor in their development, particularly after she assumed leadership duties during the absence of key player Brianna Ang due to injury.

“Dako man nga bulig kay nadula si Bri. So ako ginhimo nga captain. Nag-build gid ko leadership sa teammates ko,” she said.

She added that the experience strengthened the team’s resilience heading into the national meet.

“Lesson na lang ang kung ano ginpakita to namon sa court, doblehan na lang sa Palaro,” she said.

Ang has since recovered and rejoined the team in training, Almendralejo said.

To recall, BTTHS previously secured a double-podium finish in the 2026 SGVIL Rising Stars Cup, with Team A winning the Division 1 silver medal and Team B earning the Division 2 bronze medal.

Looking ahead, the NIR squad expects a tough challenge from the National Capital Region, represented by Nazareth School of National University.

“Ang NCR gid ang bug-at namon nga makontra, pero okay lang, trainingan lang namon,” she said.

Despite this, Almendralejo said the team remains focused on its goal of reaching the finals and competing for gold.

“Siyempre gold gihapon. Pero step-by-step hasta makabalik kami sa finals,” she said.

In the 2025 Palarong Pambansa, then representing Western Visayas, BTTHS reached the gold medal match but lost in straight sets to a National Capital Region squad powered by NU Nazareth School players.

Almendralejo also expressed gratitude for the support extended by local government units, including athlete allowances.

“Dako gid nga bulig sa amon, especially sa allowances nga gin-provide sang city,” she said, noting the assistance is especially helpful for first-time Palaro participants.