The Bacolod City Government is spearheading the heroes' welcome for the newly-crowned Asia Pacific Junior League champion Bacolod-Negros softball team when the players arrive at 7 a.m. in the city today.

A motorcade starting at 8 a.m. at the Bacolod airport will take the World Series-bound softbelles around the city's major streets, before winding up at the City Hall, where a press conference is scheduled at 10 a.m. with Mayor Evelio Leonardia. The Bacolod squad, composed mainly of players from Education Training and Center School and Domingo Lacson National High School, swept Guam in their best-of-three series in the As-Pac tournament at the Rosario Complex in Pasig City.

The victory assured the Bacoleñas of a fourth straight World Series appearance in a run that dates back to August 2004 when ETCS clinched second runner-up honors in the Little League division in Portland, Oregon.

Last year, the Bacolod batters placed second in its maiden stint in the Junior League division in Kirkland, Washington.

The Paglaum Village National High School remains the only Bacolod team to have won a world title when it ruled the tournament in Kirkland four years ago.

Although they are assured of a World Series slot, the Bacolod girls still need about P1.2 million for the airfare and team officials reiterated their appeal for support yesterday.

Team manager Lagrimas Ciokon said that World Series organizers in Williamsport, Pennsylvania may extend financial aid of $10,000 for the team, although the commitment has yet to be confirmed.*CPT

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