The junior girls' 13-14 softball team of Education and Training Center School received a hero's welcome yesterday upon their arrival in Bacolod City after a successful stint in the United States.

ETCS had its best finish in the World Series last month by placing first runner-up in the junior girls' division in Kirkland, Washington, before ruling the 2006 Olympia Friendship Games.

The Bacolod-based squad, mentored by Vilda Benjamin, Lagrimas Ciokon and Dina Barlita, were welcomed by Councilor Ana Marie Palermo and the ETCS Drum and Bugle Corps during its arrival at the Philippine Airlines terminal at 6 a.m. yesterday.

A motorcade from the airport to ETCS campus was staged for the Bacoleñas before they were presented during the Monday program at the City Hall, where they were lauded by the city officials and employees.

The ETCS batters then joined the motorcade of the Department of Interior and Local Government's Crime Prevention Week in the major streets of Bacolod, before having a courtesy call with Gov. Joseph Marañon at the Provincial Capitol.

Marañon, who gave P2,000 to the ETCS softbelles during the visit, lauded the Bacold-based team's feat.

"You are the pride of Negros. Continue what you are doing because you will eventually become champions," Marañon told the players. From the Capitol, the ETCS softbelles, who were accompanied by their parents and other relatives, returned to the City Hall where they were congratulated by Mayor Evelio Leonardia.

Leonardia told the Bacoleñas that they should serve as examples to the youth and should always continue their quest for excellence because they make Bacolod proud.

The achievement of ETCS in the international tournament also brought publicity to the city, Leonardia said.

He said that the local government will also look into how it could assist the Bacolod-based team in paying its balance amounting to about P600,000 from its trip abroad.

HELP OF FILIPINO COMMUNITY

Ciokon, who has coached ETCS for the past four years, said the Filipino communities in the US provided food for the contingent and the host families accommodated the team before it was billeted at a hotel by the World Series organizing committee.

Sunny Santarin, a Cavite native who now resides in Kirkland, also gave the squad four helmets, one set of catcher's gear and six bats, she said.

Ciokon said that the Filipinos employed by Microsoft in Washington also provided a bat and a set of catcher's gear for the softbelles, while their compatriots in Olympia handed 12 bats to the team during the 2006 Olympia Friendship Games.

The Bacolod Society of America also treated the delegation when they planed in to Los Angeles after their campaigns in Washington, she added.

PLAYERS DEDICATE FEAT TO FAMILY

The ETCS players, who finished third in their two previous bids in the Little League (girls' 11-12) category of the World Series, said they are dedicating their first runner-up trophy to their families.

Left-handed pitcher Annalie Benjamin, who played in the WS for the third time, said she trained hard for the tournament because her family served as her inspiration.

Thirteen-year-old Veronica Belleza, a sophomore student, said their runner feat was sweeter compared to their other achievements because "it's the highest honors they have received so far" in the sport.

My teammates have been my inspiration. I also dedicate this victory to my parents, who have always supported me, Belleza said.

Second base player Cherrylyn Revellon shared a similar sentiment. Completing the ETCS roster are Cindy Carol Banay, Cherry An Basco, Cherry Bartolome, Nerissa Benjamin, Angelique Benjamin, Erica Escanuela, Charmaine Joy Oria, Jenalyn Polinario and Jusel Marie Talaban. *CIT

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