A perennial champion in the Western Visayas regional meet, Bacolod City’s ETCS elementary girls’ softball team, representing Negros Occidental, found themselves in an unfamiliar surroundings after bowing to Iloilo, 2-12, in the eliminations, and handling the latter a twice-to-beat advantage in the championship round.

But the girls mentored by Tess Himpolaran and Mimi Siocon, seasoned batters at their young age, fought back and beat the Zarraga-based Iloilo team twice yesterday to retain their crown.

In their first encounter, ETCS defeated Iloilo, 5-3, then sealed the victory, 7-2, in the final game played in the under the scorching heat of the sun at the Paglaum Sports Complex.

The girls blanked Iloilo in the first inning and scored a run, then rallied in the second inning with five run, including a homerun from Candoni native, 12-year-old Mary Joy Maguad.

A 0-0 third inning gave Iloilo some hope, boosted by a run and homerun in the upper fourth inning, but Maguad hit another homerun that to keep the Negros team ahead, 7-2. Another scoreless inning for Iloilo in the upper fifth sealed the host team’s victory.

“The girls worked hard for this win. We were the underdogs going into the championship game but the girls were able to overcome all their fears and doubts,” Himpolaran said.

Iloilo coach Leonardo Pedregoza said they were contented with their silver finish as most of the members of the team were first-timers. He also congratulated the ETCS girls for playing a very good game.

Earlier, the Negros’ secondary girls’ softball team, having a twice-to-beat advantage, also beat Iloilo, 8-1.

Both softball teams, along with the other champions in the 2012 WVRAA held in Bacolod City, will represent Western Visayas in the May 6-12 Palarong Pambansa in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

Joining the Palaro-bound contingents from Negros are the secondary boys’ basketball team from West Negros University, and the University of St. La Salle-IS high school girls’ volleyball team who also clinched the gold against Iloilo in the final day of the competition.*NAB

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