Softball champions Andrea Mae Gonzales, Michelle Lentija, and Charmaine Joy Oria of the Big League team from Manila that won the title in the World Series competition recently in Kalamazoo , Michigan , USA , came home over the weekend to touch base with their former mentors from ETCS elementary school in Bacolod City .

During the press conference at the Negros Press Club building the three Big Leaguers listened to the same problems that plagued their home team ever since – lack of funds and lack of local support.

Tess Himpolaran, trainer of the perennial Palarong Pambansa champion ETCS squad, said their problem lies in their own organization and they need to re-organize the Little League Bacolod East Chapter to strengthen their representation to the Little League Philippines .

Whenever the teams from Bacolod City managed to beat their opponents in the Philippine Series, they are always confronted with the problem on how to represent the country in the Asia Pacific, and eventually, the World Series, due to problems on transportation expenses.

“We need somebody who can strongly represent us in the LLP and at the same time, help us tap support for our little leaguers,” Himpolaran said.

Since the little league, as an organization, is an initiative of local volunteers and exist as a private group, it can not rely on the government for a regular or a fixed assistance.

“The most we can do is to solicit for support from those who believe in the world-class talents of our little leaguers,” Himpolaran said.

She said they were lucky to have the support of both the local governments of Bacolod and Negros Occidental in their previous international competitions.

Himpolaran also thanked businessman Vladimir Gonzales, who offered to pay for the expenses of Lentija, Oria, and Gonzales to come home and celebrate their recent Big League championship with their ETCS home team.

She explained that the three champions were recruited to play for Adamson University and University of Sto . Tomas in Manila after they graduated from different high schools in Bacolod City .

“More than the international recognition, we always tell our little leaguers that the most important thing is for them to finish their studies,” Himpolaran said, adding that they will continue to make sacrifices for the ETCS little league team and they hope somebody will take up their cause when they finally retire.*NAB

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